Vale Les Bentley

"Exactly thirty years to the day (2 October 1989) that life-long Bankstown local Les Bentley formally joined the Bankstown Harness Racing and Agricultural Society as a member, a grateful and tearful crowd of hundreds of Bankstown Paceway members, racing industry enthusiasts, family and friends packed out Condell Park's Phil Lopez OBE Grandstand to mourn a man whose dedication and service to industry and community are without parallel," incoming Bankstown Paceway president David Rosen has said.

"A passionate punter and race horse owner, Bankstown Paceway's longest ever serving president joined the Society's committee in 2002, and, following a stint as Treasurer, was elected President of the Society in 2003 – the office he would hold up until his sad passing on Friday, September 20th. He was 71," Mr Rosen told Harnesslink.

"It is impossible to describe in words the enormity of the legacy of Les' sixteen years as Bankstown Paceway president – not to mention his past service as Harness Racing Clubs Committee chairman and a Harness Racing NSW board member – and his abundance of achievements for our industry and the local community are simply too numerous to list," Mr Rosen said.

"Bankstown Paceway was Les Bentley's magnum opus. He lived, breathed and slept with Bankstown Paceway in mind. He contributed all of his efforts, energies and endeavours to our race club and we are in the position in which we are today as the undeniable result of his own blood, toil, tears and sweat," he said.

"Despite being diagnosed with a serious illness earlier in the year, Les continued to carry out his duties with the same dedication and zeal that he had for the previous sixteen years.

"Les is survived by his partner, Sue, who was never far from his side at our race track, his children, Shane, Chad, Troy, Glenn and Tana, their partners and his beloved grandchildren and great grandchild, to whom Bankstown Paceway and all of our members extend their heartfelt sympathy.

"In due course, the Bankstown Paceway committee will meet to consider options for a fitting and permanent memorial tribute to recognise and acknowledge Les' long lasting contribution to the Canterbury Bankstown community, our Society and members, the harness racing industry, and each and every one of the people that he touched in his lifetime with his generosity of spirit," Mr Rosen added.

 

Megan J. Lavender