I wasn’t sacked: Hill

By Paul Pickering
FORMER Racing Victoria steward Mark Hill last week set the record straight on his controversial split with the organisation after 27 years.
Hill was among three senior stewards made redundant as a result of Racing Victoria’s integrity department overhaul, but says he has “walked out with his head held high”.
The former Berwick and Catani resident, who now lives in Frankston South, last week refused to criticise his long-time employer, but was keen to note he had not been shown the door.
Hill and fellow senior stewards Bruce McGinley and Stephen Coombes applied for jobs under the newly-created title of regional steward manager and were overlooked.
All three were invited to apply for the roles of steward liaison officer and stipendiary steward, but, after careful consideration, Hill last Friday withdrew his application.
“I applied for the stewards job, not the liaison job, then we were told that it was a significantly reduced pay structure,” he explained on Friday. I slept on it, then on Friday I rang (RVL chief steward) Terry Bailey and said I wanted to withdraw my application before any interviews took place. That hasn’t been accurately reported.”
The 52-year-old said he was shocked to be overlooked for one of the regional roles and, given the stressful nature of the job, could not accept a significant pay cut.
Hill also said he felt a degree of relief after distancing himself from the departmental overhaul.
“The moment I hit send on my email (to Bailey) to withdraw my application for the (stipendiary stewards) job, that lifted a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “I felt relieved and are looking forward to the next phase of my life.”
That next phase could include working interstate or overseas as a steward, but Hill has not ruled out the prospect of working for RVL in some capacity.
Hill said his wife, Heather, and four adult children had provided fantastic support over the last fortnight.“(And) the support I’ve had from people in racing has been absolutely amazing. I probably owe 40 or 50 people phone calls – trainers, club CEOs, fellow stewards and people I know in racing,” he said.