Rabaul Amateur Turf Club

The Rabaul racecourse was situated a short distance out of the town , between Rabaul and Matupit Rapindik, which doubled as an aerodrome and was later to become the Golf Cause and the Lakunai Airfield which was totally destroyed in 1994 at the time on the Volcanic eruption which destroyed that part of Rabaul

AN OUTPOST OF EMPIRE IN AUSTRALIA'S MANDATE TERRITORY. The above Illustration depicts the grandstand and saddling paddock on the Rabaul racecourse at the New Guinea Amateur Turf Club's first meeting on Easter Monday. Here, men of the Anzacs breed enjoyed true Australian sport, on this the scene of Australia's first great war achievement, now the capital of the New Guinea Mandated Territory, There. were six races on the programme, the 'big money' being £11. Tho Ladles' Bracelet, for which five horses competed, was valued at £7. The fields were good, ten going to the post In tho Matupl Plate. The photo.' was kindly forwarded to the 'Farmer and Settler' by Major J H Hust, Secretary for Lands, Rabaul.

Rabaul Races The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 21 June 1934

This illustrates a race meeting held recently at Rabaul. In order to relieve the monotony of garrison duty, soldiers comprising the Army of Occupation conceived the idea of organising a1 meeting and everybody entered into the spirit of the occasion. Official sanction was obtained, and the club started as the Raubaul Jockey Club. The patron was Brig.» General G. R:- Johnston, C.B., C.M.G., V.D.,Administrator, and he, with the Government House party and the whole of the garrison staff and soldiers, together with the entire population — Japanese, Malays, Chinese, and natives-were in attendance. In fact, the Administration. took part in some of the event .German traders were there also, but they kept to themselves.

17/01/ 1946- JAPANESE FARRIER WORKING IN THE BLACKSMITH'S SHOP AT THE RABAUL RACE CLUB STABLE\

RACE MEETING FOR ISLAND GARRISON
A racecourse numbering among its appointments three grandstands and a totalisator with about 40 windows will be one the features of a comprehensives sports arena under construction on a sit at Rabaul (New Britain) that formed part of the Japanese defences. Tho first meeting of' the Rabaul Racing Club, whoso officials are members of the Australian Military Forces, will be held on January 20.The Rabaul pre-war sports area became overgrown during the Japanese occupation and camouflaged some of their, defences. Large work parties, of Japanese have been clearing the area for a considerable time, and personnel of Australian engineers' units operate the mechanical, equipment. From about. 6OO horses on the island some brought in by the Japs and others belonging to former residents, 60 were selected by officers of the 1st Australian ; Mobile Veterinary Survey Unit These have been brought, in to the stables, which form part of a self-contained camp under the direction of an officer. Each unit that wants a horse has to send a Trainor to reside at the camp and care for his charge.
NO BOOKMAKERS.
The Rabaul Racing Club, under the presidency of Brig. C. R. Edgar, of the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, will hold meetings regularly. Races will be over distances up to five furlongs including a straight of four furlongs. For the first meeting on January 20, there will be no handicapping. Jockeys' colours and caps, obtained through the Australian Army Amenities Service, have arrived from Australia, and .racing saddles are on. order. The Club will operate for entertainment only and' not on a profit making basis. Bookmakers will not be permitted Among other facilities being provided on the site by the Amenities Services are three cricket- pitches, two Australian rules and four rugby grounds, six tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball and softball diamonds.

17/01/ 1946 HORSES AT THE RABAUL RACE CLUB IN THEIR STABLES WHICH WERE BUILT BY JAPANESE WORKING PARTIES

17/01/ 1946 A JAPANESE VETERINARY OFFICER DRESSING THE HOOF OF A HORSE AT RABAUL RACE CLUB

17/01/1946 HORSES FROM THE RABAUL RACE CLUB STABLES BEING EXERCISED IN SIMPSON HARBOUR BY THEIR TRAINERS.

The War years are over the citizens are moving back to the Country Civil administration is becoming a reality and the local Chinese business men rebuilding their business to much extent to satisfy the hundreds of people coming to Rabaul to work . Houses to be built Churches , roads to be repaired and built , the town is growing people need and want more the Big company's return Colyer Watsons New Guinea Co Burns Philip

re the stores , the company ships of Burns Philip return to service the Islands to bring produce and goods , then laden up with passengers heading south on leave thus the cycle continues. The soldiers with that two bob in there pocket are now civilians the ones that stayed back, they saw a future of business enterprise in the country. Horse was the go to build a new racecourse. The area set aside eas on the Kokopo road near the proximity of yet another volcano Vulcan.

THE GRANDSTAND AT RABAUL RACE COURSE AT VULCAN CA 1955- 1956

Looking down to the starters paddock bookies and crowd

The Grans Stand was never completed

waiting for the starter

The guests Sir Donald & Lady Clealand, Mr & Mrs John Rolo Folie , President and jockey, Matt Foley and Mrs Peg Foley, also Ernest Bain Young Treasure/ sectary of the Armature Turf Club Rabaul