About 100 people converged on Gunnedah’s track on Saturday for a crisis meeting, rallying against the state government’s decision to end the sport from July next year. 

Emotional and passionate locals spoke out against the ban, not only on the grounds of the significant financial loss they’ll inevitably incur if passed, but also concerns for the welfare of those who have lived and breathed the sport their entire lives.

One third-generation breeder told the meeting his father, who lives for his dogs, was heading into depression since the ban was announced, fearing he could lose him in the next 12 months. 

This is just one of many moving parts to the complex debate.

Spearheading calls to reverse the racing ban is Gunnedah-based Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) chairman Geoff Rose. 

At Saturday’s meeting, Mr Rose slammed the government’s response to the 800-page report by a Special Commission of Inquiry, which detailed an industry rife with animal welfare concerns, questioning why it chose to act on only one of the report’s 80 recommendations.

Throwing his weight behind the debate, Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler assured the racing fraternity at the meeting that the matter would be high on the agenda at the next council meeting on Wednesday night. 

While he lamented over the lateness of industry reform, he encouraged affected parties to strengthen their case rather than focusing on negative campaigns. 

In a region where the sport is estimated to inject about $1 million into the economy each year, it is welcome news to hear that Gunnedah Shire Council is listening to those it represents. 

It is likely to be a debate that will continue to gain traction on both sides of the fence. 

As a cloud looms over the industry, the sport’s proponents continue to band together in their darkest hour.

If the latest meeting is anything to go by, the industry will not back down, so it’s fair to say the fight to keep the sport alive really is only just beginning.