MY CALL: THE SAD PASSING OF REBECCA WILSON

By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 11, 2016

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

I was sad to learn of the passing of Rebecca (Bec) Wilson last Friday.

Too young at 54, the cruel return of cancer was overwhelming in a short space of time.

So many have correctly praised her for fearless journalism on several media platforms over the past three decades.

If she thought she was right, she wasn't for budging.

I experienced it first hand over 30 years ago.

Bec and I were cadets at the Courier-Mail in the early eighties.

While I was fixed in the racing department, other cadets were rostered on a loop and it was Bec's turn in what was known as "turf".

She was an immediate hit with my colleagues, courtesy of her personality, mixing with the likes of the late Jim Anderson and Garth Stubbersfield as well as Peter Cameron and Greg Atherton.

One of our tasks was to oversee the racing guide each night as it was prepared for the next day's publication.

One of the most important features was to make sure all jockeys were on the race fields as they were not declared until Friday morning in those days.

It was Stradbroke eve and a dispute arose between Bec and I of whom had to stay back last to put the finishing touches on the all important Saturday guide.

I pulled rank. She didn't budge an inch. I left the building assuring myself she would stay.

And so out comes the Stradbroke formguide on a Saturday morning with hardly a jockey to be seen and "Ando" hollering down the phone line how this could have happened.

Bec was powerful from a young age. I had to cop the rap.

She always referred to me as "Chooky" over the years and we laughed about the Friday night incident many times.

A great "mate" to many, she will be sadly missed.

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Bec's passing led me to think about the role of women in Queensland racing.

Particularly my own backyard of media.

I can't recall a female racing journalist in my lifetime. Alison Best was specifically a detail gatherer.

And women in key administrative posts have been thin on the ground although the most recently appointed Racing Queensland Board is a step in the right direction.

I'm not into quotas or the like, but when I see the trailblazing that someone like Bec achieved, I wonder why more women have not put their hand up.

At least their participation in the hands on roles of jockeying, training etc is strong and clearly acknowledged.

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The programming of the Friday October 28 meeting at the Sunshine Coast beggars belief.

This is the first of these "wacky" 12 race cards, starting at 2pm and finishing at 9pm. That's right 2pm to 9pm.

This is on a day before the Saturday raceday when participants will not get home until 11pm before resuming their activities a few hours later.

And, by the way, Sunshine Coast is also racing on Sunday and Melbourne Cup day!

This is on a day that is traditionally slotted into one of the busiest weeks in Queensland racing with a swag of clubs racing on Melbourne Cup day.

Where are all the horses coming from? Some clubs will surely suffer.

Over to you Racing Queensland. Maybe you can enlighten me into your thinking.

David Fowler