The name ‘Bill McFarlane’ is synonymous with racing in Geelong.
Mr McFarlane received an OAM on Monday June 9 for services to the Geelong Racing Club of which he was made a life member in 1993 and has a function room named after him.
He was on the committee from 1979 to 2019, was chair from 1990 to 2004 and treasurer.
Also a life member of Geelong St Patrick’s Racing Club, Mr McFarlane was secretary there from 1973 to 2010.
He has been vice-president of the Old Port Phillip Racing Association and is a member of the Victorian Racing Club.
Mr McFarlane was given the Tony Shanahan Award for Services to Country Racing in 2024 and the George Hanlon Medal, Geelong Thoroughbred Club.
And while racing has been a huge part of Mr McFarlane’s life, his OAM is for services to Geelong.
He has been involved with St Mary of the Angels Parish, St Joseph’s Nursing Home and Sacred Heart College Geelong.
He has been a St Mary of the Angels Parish Austin Healey Award winner for meritorious service, has an Australian Defence Medal and National Service Medal.
Mr McFarlane was a foundation member and coach of Newtown Little League Football and former vice-pPresident of Old Port Phillip Racing Association and treasurer at St Gabriel’s Monastery, Geelong.
