RAY Lyons stood on the track at Allman Park yesterday and recalled how every structure at the Warwick Turf Club course had been built in the past 42 years.

He has just retired after 42 years on the club committee and is high in praise of the seven presidents who led the club in that time.

“This club could have easily folded except for the work of president, the late Bill Hoiberg, and his wife Margaret who was secretary for a long period of time,” Lyons said.

“Their dedication and determination got the club through at a time there was very little money from the TAB for country racing.

“Now virtually all the prize money comes from Queensland Racing but the overheads have gone up a lot, including insurance and electricity.”

He is one of four living life members of the club, the others are Errol Brackin, Dutchie Miller and Graeme Garde.

Lyons said there were other life members in earlier years but all club records were destroyed in the 1976 flood which went through the old office.

He said a lot of building work went on under presidents Bill Hoiberg, the late Boyd Irwin and then Graeme Garde, including a new public bar and toilet block, stables and in 1983 an administration building and members area/bar built above flood level.

A covered betting ring came and then track upgrading under president Bill Sullivan.

Lyons said the good work had carried on under presidents Mick Grew, Ted Donegan and Garry Adcock and many committee members.

What impresses him most is the harmonious way the club operates.

“I can't remember a ballot in my time,” Lyons said.

Adcock said Ray Lyons had been an invaluable member of the committee.

“There is no way in the world we would be in the position we are with sponsorship except for Ray and his involvement with the Warwick Credit Union Warwick Club,” Adcock said.

“I recall when Ray would collect $5 for every horse at barrier trials and when he would answer the phone at the club from 6am to 9am on race days in an era before the Racing Services Bureau handled the fields.”

At one stage, Lyons would be at the racecourse for 16 race meetings and 16 barrier trials each year.