For decades, Thursday night greyhound races have put Dapto on the map. Around Australia, and even overseas, people have heard of the Dapto Dogs.
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Which is why, according to Dapto Chamber of Commerce president Ian Fitzgibbon, news that the NSW Government will shut down greyhound racing sent shockwaves through the southern Wollongong town.
“It’s a pretty severe blow – stunning – to destroy livelihoods and history with a swipe of pen.”
“We’re all a bit shocked by the severity of the decision to close an industry,” he said. “It’s an iconic part of the township and has been here for many years – it’s world renowned.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the decision would have immediate effects on those involved in the industry, and a ripple effect on suppliers and other businesses.
“The impact over the loss of an identity is also a concern, as is the social side of it for those who want to,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of good community-based Dapto people based in the industry over many many years. A lot of long-standing people who have put time and effort into making it what it is.”
“It’s a pretty severe blow – stunning – to destroy livelihoods and history with a swipe of pen.”
Despite the shock, Mr Fitzgibbon said Dapto, and the showground, would continue to thrive without the greyhound races.
“I think the town will remain as we are, we’re a vibrant community,” he said.
“There’s a lot of demand in other areas, a very good vibe around the town’s revitalisation strategies – but it still doesn’t help when you pull something like that out of our community without warning. It’s quite devastating.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said he expected those within the greyhound industry to campaign against the government’s shut down, as they felt “hard done by”.
He also believed Dapto’s greyhound racing community did not condone the cruelty and barbaric practices which have led to the ban.
”If they can close the dogs, I guess they can close the trots, the gallops, anything, if that’s what they choose to do,” he said.
“I’m not saying I agree with things that happen in all sorts of sports, but that’s got to have a balance with the social aspect of the community.”
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