OVENS and Murray general manager Sean Barrett has stepped down from his top post.
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After four-and-a-half years at the helm, Barrett notified league officials on Friday that he had accepted the position as Wangaratta Turf Club's chief executive officer.
The shock announcement leaves the Ovens and Murray league without a general manager with the season set to commence in six weeks.
Club president Bill Carlisle said he expected Barrett to commence his new role in late March.
"Sean has a strong background in marketing, sponsorship and administration," Carlisle said.
"He also has a genuine passion for racing and previously held a similar position in South Australia before relocating to Albury.
"It's been a long process trying to find a suitable replacement for our previous CEO.
"While we had dozens of applications, we interviewed four applicants that were of a high standard."
Club managers John Dight and Ben Murphy, of Wonganella Consulting, have been overseeing the club's operations since Hoysted's departure.
Sean has a strong background in marketing, sponsorship and administration.
- Wangaratta president Bill Carlisle
The club has undergone $16 million of upgrades since 2012 including a horse swimming pool, a function centre, stables and a road within the boundary of the complex.
An investigation instigated in August 2019 into financial irregularities at the club revealed around $1.5 million was still owed to creditors.
Racing Victoria had to help bail the club out of financial difficulties via a $1 million loan.
Country Racing Victoria also lent the club $500,000.
"We plan to move forward in leaps in bounds over the next five years," Carlisle said.
"Wangaratta is one of the most progressive clubs in country Victoria with state of the art training facilities.
"The trainers have benefited enormously and their strike rates have improved significantly.
"The focus now is trying to build the functions and events side of the business but like so many businesses it's hard to get a gauge on its potential with COVID-19 and the restrictions."
Barrett joined the Ovens and Murray from agri-food company Rivalea after also spending time with Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, Tennis SA and Tennis NT.
He beat 15 applicants for the position.
Barrett has strong ties with Cricket Albury-Wodonga club East Albury and is expected to stay involved with the Crows.
The O and M will advertise immediately with the high number of recent job losses in the football industry set to ensure there are plenty of applicants.