Board of Directors

MALCOLM PETROFSKI - PRESIDENT 
Malcolm Petrofski is the owner of Townsville-based business Logistics NQ and was elected as President of the Townsville Turf Club in 2016.  

Born and bred in North Queensland, Malcolm grew up in Innisfail and, after graduating from high school, earned his trade ticket as a mechanic. None too excited about his career prospects as a mechanic and lasting one day one day on the job, Malcolm spent the next 20 years rising through the ranks of Australian freight and logistics giant, Mayne Nickless, in operations management roles.

In the late nineties Malcolm started his own business, Logistics NQ, which now employs around 35 staff and services an area across Queensland spanning more than 3,000 square kilometres.

Malcolm has been married to horse trainer Michelle for more 25 years and has two daughters.  A man of simple tastes, he enjoys spending time with his family, visiting race tracks around Australia, and the odd Chinese meal.

ROSS DONOVAN - VICE PRESIDENT
A passionate horse owner and Townsville Turf Club Member, Ross purchased his first horse in 1975 on the Gold Coast. He is committed to the success of the local racing industry with a strong focus on assisting trainers. Ross owns personal shares in horses with Bill Canning, Jeffrey O’Dea, Roy Chillemi and Tracy Simmons.

As a previous Committee man of 18 years and a life member of the club, his historical knowledge and business  acumen is a valuable asset to the TTC.

Ross is eager to support and drive activities that continue to bring the club and its facilities into more modern times whilst financially building a stronger foundation for future generations.

GRAHAM EDE - COMMITTEE MEMBER
Graham Ede is the Managing Director of Ede Events (Formerly known as Doug Edes). The business began in canvas manufacturing in 1966 and Graham learnt the canvas trade from his father and. In the seventies they began manufacturing canvas marquees for hire. Forty years later, Ede Events is a leader in the North Queensland events' industry and is proud to be locally owned and operated by three generations of the family.

Graham is passionate about supporting local business and is a leader in the community, having served as President of the Townsville Central Rotary Club. Graham attributes his successes to his family, his five children and in particular his wife Mary who has supported him throughout their 40 years of marriage.

When Graham isn't working on his business or the TTC committee you can generally find him enjoying the quiet of Magnetic Island, fishing rod in hand.

ROSS LEHMAN - COMMITTEE MEMBER
Ross Lehman started working with Royal Insurance when he was 15 years old and stayed loyal to the business for 38 years. Following his time in insurance, Ross started his own company “Statewide Insurance Risk Surveyors” where he worked until retirement.

Ross pencilled at Cluden with Pat O’Shea from 1969 to 1982, subsequently taking out his own bookmakers licence until 2002. Ross has owned racehorses that were trained by John Ross, Matt Connor and Ralph Baker

ESTHER SLOCOMBE - COMMITTEE MEMBER
Esther is the Company Secretary & Legal Counsel at Port of Townsville Limited and her role includes the oversight of governance, legal, regulatory, government stakeholder liaison, strategic/corporate planning, contractual review, right to information, information privacy, records management, risk management, audit and administration functions. Prior to joining the Port, Esther was a legal practitioner in a private legal practice in Townsville for three years. She was admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland and holds a Diploma of Management. Esther is a member of the Queensland Law Society, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and a trustee on the Townsville Traditional Owners Charitable Trust.

A true North Queenslander, Esther was born and bred in Mareeba, raised in Cardwell and having attended school in Ingham prior to moving to Townsville to complete studies at James Cook University and later pursuing her career in the region. 

ALAN DEAN - COMMITTEE MEMBER
Alan Dean has a long standing association with the thoroughbred, pacing and greyhound racing industry in Townsville. From a family involved in the industry since the 1930’s, Alan started as a bookmaker’s clerk in the 1970s before taking out a bookmaker’s licence from 2001 – 2011. At one stage in the 1990s you could find three generations of Deans working at Cluden on race day including his father Keith Dean and brothers Ralph and Kevin. Alan’s uncle Ralph Barrett was a promising Townsville jockey in the 1930s until his untimely death in January 1940 at 22 years old from fatal injuries sustained at a Cluden meet. Alan’s membership on the board is an opportunity for him to continue his interest for racing and contribute to the future of the sport in Townsville. 

NATALIE RINTALA - GENERAL MANAGER

Natalie Rintala