Greyhounds are My Life profiles some of the 17,000 people involved in greyhound racing across Victoria. They come from all walks of life, but are united by their common love of greyhounds and by how they put the welfare of the dogs and the integrity of the sport first and foremost.

Their stories also highlight their connections with their local greyhound racing clubs and how Victoria’s 13 greyhound racing clubs are part of their communities, creating jobs, social and professional networks and supporting local groups and causes.

Profiles are being released before each Club’s annual Cup.

If you like Greyhounds are My Life and you’ve got any comments, suggestions or good stories about your own involvement in the sport, please let us know at ourcommunity@grv.org.au

Garry AllenGarry Allen
When marketing executive Garry Allen first offered to help his father with his greyhounds, he had no idea it would lead to meeting his wife, Corinne, at the Warragul Greyhound Racing Club’s kennels, and to becoming a committee member and President of the club. Over the past 45 years, Garry played a big part in restoring what was a very run down venue at Warragul into one of regional Victoria’s best greyhound racing clubs. And he’s still training and racing dogs, including two greyhound pups he recently bought for $750 each, which are now turning into real champions.

Mary LieshoutMary Lieshout
For many years, Mary Lieshout and her husband Eddie ran their Parumba Stud Greyhound Kennels as one of Australia’s leading breeding operations, home to such great sires as Shining Chariot and bringing in American dogs to develop new bloodlines. But when Mary suffered serious health problems, it looked like her life with greyhounds could be over. However, thanks to the support of her family and the greyhound racing community, and her love of the dogs, Mary steadily recovered and is now once again active in the sport, catching at the races and helping Eddie breed and train a new generation of champions.

Warragul Greyhound Racing Club

Founded in 1935, the Warragul Greyhound Racing Club is a major regional hub for greyhound racing hosting over 100 meetings per year including the Warragul Cup, one of the four legs in the Gippsland Carnival. The club directly employs 16 permanent and casual staff while greyhound racing also generates many more indirect local jobs and contributes around $40 million to the Gippsland region, providing hundreds of local jobs and a market for local goods and services.

Check out our other Greyhounds are My Life videos at
www.GRV.org.au/GAML