Greyhounds » Selection Panel
Please select from below:
- Mark Bottcher
- Robert Edwards
- Mick Glasson
- Ryan Levitzke
- Dr Alistair Murdoch
- Peter O’Neill
- David Shortte
Mark Bottcher
Born in Hobart, Tasmania and moved to Kalgoorlie as a 12 year old in the late 1960's - a transition that was about as extreme as you can get!
Early work career included Computer Engineering and Computer Centre Management in the oil exploration / seismic data processing industry in Australia and on contract in the USA, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina. Later became self-employed and established a 7-day trading retail newsagency business.
A regular racegoer at harness and thoroughbred meetings for many years Mark became interested in the greyhounds in WA in the late 1980's and he later fulfilled a boyhood dream of being a bookmaker. In June 1997 he started work as the Grader at WAGRA before becoming the Racing Manager there. Later Mark transferred to RWWA as a Manager Greyhound Racing and now has more than 13 years experience in racing management in WA.
Robert Edwards
Robert attended the first ever WA greyhound meeting at Cannington in 1974 and became a regular at Cannington on Saturday nights ever since then. It was during that period he owned his first greyhound.
When Robert became a cadet journmalist for The Western Mail Newspaper he was given the round of greyhound reporter. During this period he built strong relationships with greyhound administrators, trainers, owners and breeders.
Robert left Perth in the early 1980's to work on The Hong Kong Standard Newspaper and regularly attend greyhound and harness meetings in Macau.
He joined the editorial staff of The West Australian newspaper in 1987 and several years later became the newspaper's greyhound writer.
Mick Glasson
Mick is a baby boomer who has been interested in greyhound racing since its inception in the seventies.
He became the West Australian Greyhound writer in 1981 and held that position till the early nineties when crossing over from things with four legs to things with four wheels.
Mick has published form guides and did a lot of radio work with 6PR in the nineties, he has also seen the other side of the betting line having held a bookmakers license for several years.
The owner of several good dogs Mick has not been directly involved for some time but has kept an interest.
Ryan Levitzke
Grew up in Ferndale, about five minutes from Cannington and always wanted to be a race caller. As a child attended Ascot/Belmont most Saturday's with his father Brent, who has always been a member of the WATC. A nervous Ryan called David Simonette at the age of twelve and was allowed to use the spare Cannington commentary box before starting to call Qualifying Trials at Cannington and Mandurah a year later. He called his first Non-TAB race at Kojonup in 1997, first TAB race at the Esperance Bay Turf Club in 2002, first greyhound race at Mandurah in 2003 and first Harness event at Kellerberrin in 2004.
He has worked on Racing Radio (1206AM metro) for twelve years and has called nine seasons of Esperance and Carnarvon throughbreds. He continues to call 2-3 times a week for Racing Radio (1206AM metro), mainly at the greyhound venues of Mandurah and Northam.
Ryan is passionate about all three codes but, being an owner to a few greyhounds himself, has always had a soft spot for greyhound racing.
Dr Alistair Murdoch
Born in Malaysia in the late 1950’s, Alistair was appointed as the representative of the greyhound code on the RWWA Board effective 1 August 2009.
He has tertiary qualifications in veterinary science and business management and more than 26 years of varied corporate experience within the animal health and pharmaceutical industries.
Alistair commenced his career as a practicing veterinarian following his graduation from Murdoch University in 1981 and practised for more than 19 years during the 1980’s and 1990’s, including 14 years as the on-track veterinarian at Cannington.
Peter O'Neill
Born in Narrogin, Peter lived on a wheat and sheep farm until the age of 15 when he finished his final years of school in Fremantle. Rode horses from a young age and enjoyed attending race and trot meetings with the family whenever there was a chance.
Peter started his race calling career as a country trot and race caller at the age of 18, while working in banking industry. Soon after he started part time employment with Racing Radio (1206AM metro) as an announcer and tote caller. Began calling greyhounds a few years later as well as starting a regular Thursday night greyhound show ("Greyhound Gossip") on Racing Radio (1206AM metro) promoting the local greyhound industry and started writing for National Greyhound Form at that time covering the racing in WA on a regular basis.
Married for 17 years with two teenage children, enjoys travelling, loves promoting and following the three racing codes.
David Shortte
Shortte’s interest in racing started from a young age with his father Graeme constantly involved in ownership of racing animals be it thoroughbreds, pacers or chasers.
His interest in racing increased in his teen years and after studying Sports Management at Edith Cowan University as well as on exchange at Illinios State University he commenced full time employment at Greyhounds WA where he worked in a number of roles over the period of 8 years including Operations Manager, Racing and Media Manager and host of Sky Channel’s Cannington on-course coverage.
Shortte then transferred to RWWA where he was in the role of Club Promotions and Development Officer before being appointed as the Manager of the Sports Betting. Shortte has since moved into the role of Breakfast Show Host on Racing Radio’s Big Breakfast and has been involved as a Greyhound Of the Year panellist and on air tipster for more than a decade.
