By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The Redcliffe Harness Racing Club lost one of its loyal and much-loved patrons with the passing of Thelma Denise Copeland, on June 10. She was 80.
Mrs Copeland became unwell in May and spent nearly a month in Redcliffe and Prince Charles Hospitals before passing away at the latter at 8.30pm. The fourth race at Redcliffe Paceway was named in her honour last Thursday (July 11). The Vale Thelma Copeland Pace was won by the Drew Turton-trained, and Jack Chapple-driven, So Bobs Your Uncle.
RHRC President, Bernie Ring was saddened at the passing, saying Mrs Copeland was a loved, long-time patron that would be missed at the track. He said the Club offered a function with food on race-night, but he appreciated it was still a time of bereaving for Mr Copeland (72) and his only child, Chantal (44).
“We appreciate what the Club offered, and were honoured to have a race named after Mum, but it was just a bit soon for both of us. I have never seen Dad like this. He is still in shock. We both are. He can’t believe that someone who has been by his side for nearly half a century, is no longer there. Beautiful memories are around us everywhere. Mum was our rock. We are both completely lost without her,” Chantal said.
Ironically, it was the 14-win Pet Rock gelding named Fortyfive Rock, who was the favourite of the three horses her husband had in work.
“Mum loved animals, especially horses. Even in the hospital she told me to tell the horses she loved them, but didn’t seem to worry about the cat. Mum had no greater enjoyment than going to the Redcliffe trots to watch her horse Elvis (Fortyfive rock) race. She was proud of him. It didn’t matter if he was first or last, he was still her boy.
Mrs Copeland was born on October 9, 1943, in Brisbane. She was William and Alice Green’s third child of five, who included the late Ronnie, Penny, Melda and Marlene.
“Mum grew up in Wotton Street Camp Hill, and attended Camp Hill State School to Grade 8, and then went to Stotts College where she excelled in typing and shorthand. Her youngest sister Marlene said she was able to listen to the old 45-records and take down the lyrics in shorthand while listening to songs on their record player. Marlene said ‘Sissy’’ could type a massive 200 to 220 words per minute.”
Chantal said her mother worked at Gregory & Evers Solicitors in the Fortitude Valley, and then for a Hotel-Motel Broker in the CBD.
“In Mum’s younger years she enjoyed going to the Exhibition Ground to watch the speedway on a Saturday, where she always took her little sister Marlene. ‘Thellie’, as she was sometimes known, also loved going to Albion Park to watch the trots.
“She knew people like Ron Wanless, and Kevin Thomas, and that was also where she met Dad – back in the early-to-mid 1970s. They got married in 1976. Mum soon loved interacting with the horses and travelled with Dad to meetings near and far.
“They moved to Hendra and built stables behind an old Queenslander home. Mum returned to work after having me in 1980, but then did some volunteer work later on at the Red Cross when she retired. In 2014 my parents sold their Hendra house, and moved to Redcliffe to enjoy the horses and the beach life.
‘We moved to Knight Street, just adjacent to the racetrack. Mum loved going to the sea-side, the local RSL and Leagues Club, but when at home enjoyed knitting up many different items from baby booties to face washers. But like I said before there was nothing Mum liked better than sitting in her same little seat with me just past the winning post at Redcliffe Paceway.
“Because of her legs we used to drive down and watch the races together. From the day I was born in May 1980, Mum and I have been inseparable. These are the worst days of my life currently,” a grieved Chantal said.
Footnote: Mrs Copeland had a brief, but enlightening impact on me (the writer) at Redcliffe Paceway. I remember one night sitting down with her in her favourite spot – talking about the good old days, today, and the future. We spoke about passing lanes, the Governing Body, new-ages sulkies, the demise of grassroots harness racing journalism beyond ‘The Triangle’, and the big changes she had seen in her then 78 years on earth. Mrs Copeland was an equally good listener, as she was talker. So knowledgeable! You inspired me ‘Mrs C’ in the short time we had together. This is my mark of respect to you great lady.
