HTBA Awards - Service to Industry Award

Media Release - Wednesday May 11

The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award honours the outstanding achievements of those in our industry who champion exceptional service to industry and hands-on practice.  This year’s Murray Bain Service to Industry Award recipient is Ms Yvonne Clerke.                                                                                                                                       
 

Yvonne Clerke receives her award.
With some 40 years experience in the industry Yvonne first demonstrated her devotion to horses at the feet of her father in Taplow England, a passionate horseman himself.  From a young age, Yvonne displayed a selfless and tireless commitment to caring for all whom she encountered, especially foals, applying her natural talents in a very practical way to foal care, neonatal foaling, horse therapy and rehabilitation and best practice horse husbandry.  She is a natural and very talented horsewoman.
 
Yvonne brought these qualities with her when she emigrated to Australia over 30 years ago applying them equally to foals and humans alike.  Her commitment to nursing and caring for foals is legendary and she has provided practical input for many Hunter-based research projects related to mare fertility, including caterpillar-related abortion, oviduct surgery and uteropexy surgery with Dr Angus Adkins.
 
Yvonne applies a hands-on approach to everything she does from general horse husbandry to nursing foals, participating in leading edge research, her teaching and mentoring of students and staff, and her love of her family, friends, community and the Glastonbury Farm.
 
Yvonne married Mark at Glastonbury.  Both her sons, Nathan and Ryan were born there. Many Scone TAFE students have passed through the farm, benefitting from her natural talents and hands on approach to best practice horse husbandry.  Yvonne has never stopped mentoring people and sharing her love, experience and knowledge of our industry.  To say Yvonne is indefatigable is an understatement.  Her dedication and work commitment to all she undertakes is immeasurable.
 
Yvonne and Mark Clerke and Duncan and Di Grimley purchased the Glastonbury Farm in 2003.  This very successful partnership began well before that and has spanned many decades.  It is a partnership that exemplifies outstanding professionalism, trust, commitment, their shared passion for the industry and exceptional service to clients and staff.
 
Yvonne is also totally immersed in and dedicated to our community, quietly working behind the scenes to improve the lives of many in here in the Upper Hunter. She is a member of the Scone Horse Festival Committee, coordinates the Scone Horse Festival Fete, runs the Scone Rugby Club, and continues to serve our schools here in Scone, regardless of the fact that her sons left school 2 years ago. 
 
Yvonne is well known and respected as a person who leads by example, is hard working and devoted to the industry, our community and all who work at or pass through Glastonbury Farm.  To quote her friends “she is an awesome giving person, a tireless worker and the most selfless person we know”
 
The HTBA is very proud to present Mrs Yvonne Clerke with the 2022 HTBA Murray Bain Service to Industry Award.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.