JUDITH JONES | Chairman

Judith Jones has been on the SAJC Board for three and a half years and was appointed as Chairman in December 2023 after being elected for a second term. Judith currently consults to Local Government in South Australia, specialising in governance.

She has significant experience in the racing industry and was a Board Member of Thoroughbred Racing SA for three years, Chairperson of the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club for five years and a member of the South Australian Racing Clubs Council for four and a half years. Was a joint proprietor of a large education and pre training centre for thoroughbreds, and breeds and races thoroughbreds. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of The Barossa Council for ten years, acting Chief Executive Officer for a number of Councils as well as the East Waste Management Authority and a Board Member of Zero Waste SA.

CHRISTINE SIMPSON | Vice Chairman

Christine was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Board in December 2023 and has served a total of 6 years on the Board from 2016-2019 and 2020 to 2023. She has been a member of the SAJC for over 20 years.

Christine is passionate about racing and attends Morphettville almost every Saturday. Her interest in racing comes from a long family history in the sport. Her Great Great Grandfather was a trainer, and her Great Grandfather was a jockey. She currently races horses with Richard and Chantelle Jolly.

She has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and has been the Deputy Principal at St Aloysius College for 23 years. St Aloysius College is an all-girls Catholic school from Reception to Year 12 where she was responsible for the welfare of 1,250 students and 130 staff. In this role she was part of strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, marketing and infrastructure planning and projects. She brings all these experiences and skills to the SAJC Board.

PETA SOUTHERN-NINNIS

Peta Southern-Ninnis was elected to the SAJC Board in November  2022.

Peta has over 28 years’ experience in Marketing, Partnerships, Events, Sales, and Brand reputation with global brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker, the Adelaide 36ers, the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) and Police Health. More recently, Peta manages Stakeholder & Partnership relationships at Disaster Relief Australia which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy disaster relief teams Australia-wide. Both her skillset and experience will complement the SAJC’s Masterplan and new Event Centre, to ensure its every success, with good governance.

Peta and her husband Paul are passionate, avid racegoers and supporters of the SAJC. You’ll find them in attendance at the races most Saturdays watching their horses and supporting the associated stables and their owners.

GIUSEPPE MOTTILLO

Giuseppe was appointed to the Board in August 2023 to fill a casual vacancy.

Giuseppe is a legal practitioner specialising in civil litigation and dispute resolution. He has a Master of Laws and domestic and international experience advising prominent sportspeople and sporting organisations.

Giuseppe is passionate about thoroughbred racing and membership organisations. He is not only a member of the SAJC but also of several interstate thorougbred racing clubs and a number of legal associations.

Giuseppe hopes to use his experience, knowledge, and skills to help the SAJC achieve its principal objective of encouraging thoroughbred racing while also ensuring that it is commercially robust and financially sustainable.

SALLY NIEHUUS

Sally was elected to the SAJC Board in November 2023 and has been a member of the SAJC for more than 15 years.

Sally brings valuable board experience having served on the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Board for 11 years, from 2010 to November 2021.

Sally regularly attends Morphettville racecourse as an owner and member and is committed to continuing to serve our membership base by enhancing the race day experience and maximising Morphettville’s potential as an events and entertainment venue to ensure a strong and financial sustainability club for current and future generations.

Sally’s professional qualifications include a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources. Sally is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has worked in the field of People and Culture for over 25 years. She currently works in Local Government as a Manager, People and Culture.

JOHN (JOC) O’CONNELL FCA CTA

Joc was appointed to the board of the SAJC in  July  2024.

Joc has been working with small and medium-sized privately owned businesses for over 30 years.  His business Joc&Co works with private small to medium enterprises (SME’s) at Board level focusing on strategic growth.

He is currently a Board member of several organisations, and more recently resigned as Deputy Chair of the Mary Potter Foundation Inc.  He looks forward to contributing to the SAJC Board on a broad range of areas including Governance, Finance and Strategic Growth.

His passion for the industry started when he first attended races with his Father as a child, and he has ownership in various horses, and is invested in the continuing and future success of the SAJC.