TASMANIAN harness racing stalwart Gerald Gee received one of the industry’s highest honors when he was named the recipient of the 2012 Edgar Tatlow Medal for his service to the industry.
The Edgar Tatlow Medal commemorates the influence of the Tasmanian breeding pioneer Edgar Tatlow whose stallions and progeny have dominated Australasian harness racing since the 1930s.
Gee began his harness racing career in 1966 when he obtained a trainer driver licence.
Between 1978 and 2000 he participated as a full time trainer/driver. His best-performed horses were Aachens Last, Another Shy, Tripper, Nothing Shy, Gold Display, Shy Atom, Ataman and Crestaway.
Gee was studmaster and part owner at Tasman Lodge Stud from 1978 to 1986. During that time several well-performed stallions, including Lindy’s Laoedicea and Atashy, resided at the property.
Gee was elected to the Danbury Park Trotting Club Committee in 1970. The club changed its name to the Launceston Pacing Club in 1987 and by 2001 he had recorded 31 years of continuous service. He is a Life Member and past president of the Launceston Pacing Club.
Gee became a member of the Northern Tasmanian Light Harness Association in 1964, served as president, was awarded Life Membership and represented the association on the Tasmanian Light Harness Council.
He was a member of the Statewide Programming Committee for about 20 years and the Mowbray Management Committee for three years.
He has instructed students in horse management and training at the Launceston Campus of TAFE Tasmania.
He was awarded a Meritorious Service Award by Harness Racing Tasmania in 2004.
Previous winners of the award are Doug Martin (2001), Peter Cooley (2002), Keith Stanley (2003), Pauline Barker (2004), Darrell Rockliff (2005), Don Cornish (2006), Eric Fleming (2007), Eric Bean (2008), Tem Fish (2009), Henry Pullen (2010) and Doug McKillop (2011).