VIDEO DURATION: 2 hours 10 minutes.
Bob Hallett, video producer and I started work on the video on August 21, 2018. Work was completed in early January 2019. It took many hours of production and editing to achieve the final video.
We filmed the panoramic view from St Patricks Green over the area where the racecourse was once located. Then we filmed Marshall Street, the swamp (wetland), streets signs on the Moorefield Estate, French Lan, French Street , Kogarah Railway siding and some Kogarah streets.
Photos are included, which provide additional interest.
The remainder of the video covers interviews with 8 people associated with Moorefield and a representative from Heritage, Australian Turf Club. Some had closer associations than others, but they were all great stories.
I wanted to cover diverse areas, and I believe that I achieved this .The stories told in the interviews were fascinating, and give a great insight into racing history. Each interview was different.
I acknowledged Ray Cunningham, Monterey resident who started me on this 23 year project. I have included a photo of Ray at the Burlington Street stables.
In addition, I included a dedication to the late John Maguire (former jockey) and the late Jack Coutts (former racehorse owner) . They advised me and encouraged me in my Moorefield work.
The background to my Moorefield research is provided and I thank the local community for their assistance along the way.
My late father played a huge role in helping me to appreciate the importance of racing history. I was influenced strongly by his horse racing knowledge.
I also acknowledged in the video, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Harry , Lizzie (now deceased ) and James (now deceased) They kept me company for the very long hours when i was typing the Moorefield manuscript during 2015-2016. My typing was often done whilst they snored away!
On Wednesday afternoon, January 23, 2019 Bob and I had the opportunity to show the video to residents of St Patricks Green along with a few other guests.
We were honoured to have 3 Moorefield jockeys present on the afternoon: Ray Selkrig OAM, Ted Mills and Cliff Clare.
Ted and Ray had a ride in the first race at the last Moorefield race meeting July 14, 1951 –Ray had 3 other rides that day. Cliff rode on other occasions and rode in barrier trials at Moorefield.
NOTE: Moorefield jockeys still alive: Jack Waterhouse, Ray Selkrig, Ted Mills, Cliff Claire , Neville Austen and the oldest Jim Griffiths (aged 90).
I would like to thank Bruce Sharp for reading his poem on Moorefield at the launch. Bruce wrote this poem in 2016 for my Moorefield Racecourse (1888-1951) book.
The interview subjects told their stories from the heart. Bob and I were amazed at the level of memory recall. The oldest person I interviewed was 92, and he drove himself to and from the interview.
Bob and i enjoyed working together over the past few months. We coped admirably with noise from cars, trains, planes, chirpy birds, barking dogs, and bumping into a couple of my former students (a social chat then followed!) and computer problems.
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VIDEO
At the present time, we are working out how to achieve this.
Please check this website and my Facebook page, Moorefield Racecourse for details of video distribution and guest talks.
COUNCIL SUPPORT
This video was produced with assistance from Georges River Council Local Heritage Publications Grant Programme 2018.
NOTE
My other website annefieldauthor.com has photos on it of my July 14, 2016 book launch. This was held in James Cook Boys Technology High School Assembly Hall, which is located on the former racecourse.
There are some Moorefield articles on this site. The majority of Moorefield articles are featured on annefield.net.au .
GUEST TALK
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL WILL HOST AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH IN APRIL IN KOGARAH LIBRARY.
Anne Field
Kogarah, Sydney January 31, 2019
