Gippsland greyhound racing lost one of its greatest and most beloved advocates last week with the peaceful passing of Marg Thomas, aged 92.
Thomas was a true icon of the sport, an inaugural inductee into the Greyhound Racing Victoria Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the prestigious Ken Carr Medal in recognition of her extraordinary, decades-long contribution to the industry.
A former president and long-time committee member of the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club, Thomas was a passionate ambassador and a gifted storyteller whose characteristic warmth, humour and trademark cheekiness brought immense joy to the racing community. Her dedication was woven into the fabric of the sport — quite literally — having hand-made the presentation rugs for Sandown Park, The Meadows, Cranbourne, Traralgon, Warragul and the National Championships for more than 35 years.
Thomas also played a pivotal role in one of greyhound racing’s greatest public relations triumphs, which eventually hit the silver screen. She provided a greyhound named “Willis” to the Dalkeith nursing hostel in Traralgon, who raced the dog under the guidance of trainer Ray Cunneen.
The heart-warming sight of Dalkeith residents arriving at the track in wheelchairs and frames to cheer on their chaser captured the public’s imagination, generating significant media coverage in Melbourne. After a producer saw the segment on A Current Affair, the story was adapted into the Australian feature film Dalkeith.
Thomas’ life in the sport had its genesis in the late 1930s. Born and bred into the caper, she had a collar and lead in her hand from the moment she could walk. From the age of four, she accompanied her father to the White City dogs, and by age 10, she was out coursing hares along Greens Road in Dandenong.
In 1972, she met her future husband, Graeme Thomas, and the couple relocated to Meeniyan. In a move that proved life-changing, Graeme bought Marg her first two greyhounds — three-month-old pups named Nigger Chimes and Charlie Chimes — from Nugget Charles for $100. With cattle prices at an all-time low, the dogs proved to be the family’s financial salvation. Nigger Chimes became her first winner and went on to claim the prestigious 1975 Silver Chief.
Her greatest thrill on the track came when star chaser Meeniyan Prince defeated the legendary Eaglehawk Star in a heat of the Melbourne Cup. Meeniyan Prince later stood at stud in Ireland, with his progeny racing across Europe and America.
Thomas’ legacy extends far beyond her long list of accolades, having inspired generations through her unwavering dedication and generosity. Her impact continues to be celebrated annually through the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s Marg Thomas Award, presented at their Women in Racing event to honour the outstanding contributions of women in the industry.
