Economic Contribution of the Industry

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
OF THE INDUSTRY

The final expenditures generated by the thoroughbred racing industry in Australia are responsible for a direct value added impact of $3,203.5 million. When the flow on impacts of this expenditure were also considered, the total value added impact rises to $9,153.2 million contributed to the national economy.

Real gross value added is the generally accepted measure of the value of production from economic activity. It is the sum of value added by all industries in a region (in this case the states and territories of Australia). In any period of time, the value added contribution in an industry equates to the value of sales less the value of inputs used in production. This means value added is equal to the income (wages, salaries and profits) generated in production. 

The real gross value added calculation uses constant prices (prices in a selected year), hence it does not allow for general price level changes (inflation). Also the calculation makes no allowance for capital used in production (depreciation).

Generally, the level of economic activity will not always proportionally follow the final expenditures, as regional areas generally have higher import penetrations than metropolitan areas – i.e. a lot of the expenditure is on product imported from the metropolitan area. As such, the model takes into consideration these leakages between regions.

CASE STUDY:
MURRUMBIDGEE TURF CLUB

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS CREATING REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

One of the key long-term partnerships of Murrumbidgee Turf Club is with Kurrajong, a not-for-profit organisation providing services to infants, children and adults with disabilities throughout the Riverina Murray region of NSW. In operation for over 50 years, its mission is to deliver a range of services
that cater for the needs of people with disabilities, and their families.
ANNUAL CHARITY RACEDAY
Like many community service organisations, Kurrajong relies heavily on generating more than 50% of its own income annually. Its partnership with the Murrumbidgee Turf Club has been a vitally important driver of fundraising efforts over many years. The annual charity raceday has enabled Kurrajong to make important upgrades to facilities and services. The crowning achievement occurred in 2013 with the opening of a large purpose-built five-bedroom group home, constructed
with funds raised across the annual racedays. This home was built specifically for adults with a disability who have previously experienced constant upheavals and relocations, as a result of dependence on the open rental market.
Although the 2016 Kurrajong raceday event was a washout, around 2,000 people still attended a phantom meeting, and Kurrajong still managed a fund-raising record of almost $160,000 through its extensive sponsorship. Over the past 30 years an estimated whopping total of $1.8m has been raised for the organisation by the club, with $1.2m in the past eight years alone.
OTHER CHARITY EVENTS
Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s commitment to support the local community extends beyond its specific partnership with Kurrajong. The Club has made an enormous contribution to
the Wagga community through its numerous charity efforts, including the annual Aggies race meeting and Wagga Picnics. The event proved to be highly successful, with a crowd of close to 3,000 people making the most of the long weekend meeting. Country Hope’s annual Children’s Camp was a huge winner, receiving a donation of $45,000 from the Wagga Amateur Picnic Race Club.
In 2016–17, including the Kurrajong raceday, the three race meetings attracted more than 9,500 people – many of whom are not regular racegoers – to raise approximately $200,000 for their respective charities.