The Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MGRA) is pleased to advise that its current role as administrator of the Healesville Greyhound Association has become permanent, following the merger of Healesville into the MGRA company structure.

The merger will result in the MGRA Board now being responsible for two racing venues, at The Meadows and Healesville, which collectively conduct over 230 greyhound race meetings annually across the state.

Both the Melbourne Greyhounds and Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) are confident that the merger will provide administrative efficiencies across the two venues and the ability to deliver benefits for members, participants, racegoers and local communities.

MGRA Chair Barbara Backhoy said there was significant upside in merging the two associations.

“The HGA has been under administration since December 2014, with the Melbourne Greyhounds assuming the role of administrator in August 2020 and successfully overseeing Healesville operations over the past three years,” Ms Backhoy said.

“My Board is confident that the finalisation of Healesville as a venue managed by the MGRA, will provide ongoing benefits to both tracks, utilising the expertise of the highly capable and passionate employees across both sites to progress the sport.”

GRV chief executive officer Stuart Laing welcomed the merger.

“By capitalising on shared knowledge and resources, the merger of the MGRA and HGA will consolidate the governance of both Clubs under one central Board, to create a more modern governance structure and to provide a platform for a more sustainable and prosperous future,” Mr Laing said.

The merger of the MGRA and HGA officially occurred on Wednesday 29th November, 2023.