Warrnambool Stalwart Dies At 67

The Age

Tuesday May 1, 2007

Tony Bourke, Warrnambool

THE vast local racing fraternity will have mixed emotions when the Warrnambool May carnival gets underway today.

On the one hand, the return home for a few days of local apprentice Brenton Primmer, 19, after the race fall at Warrnambool last year that almost claimed his life was a momentous occasion for his family and many friends.

On the other, the sudden death on Sunday of long-time committeeman and former chairman Alec Calvert came as a shock to everyone who knew him and cast a pall over the opening day of the carnival.

A large, jovial man, Calvert, 67, was one of most recognisable of the club's hierarchy at Warrnambool and the May carnival was his favourite time of the year. Calvert was supposed to play golf with friends on Sunday and when he did not arrive they contacted his housekeeper who found him dead in bed, apparently of natural causes.

Primmer, apprenticed to local trainer Matthew Williams and a member of a well-known Warrnambool family, received severe head injuries in his fall and remained in a coma for several months. Although the prognosis was grim, his family never gave up hope, maintaining long vigils by his bedside at the Epworth Hospital.

Since he awoke suddenly earlier this year, his recovery has been gradual but steady and his doctors have given him the OK to return home for the carnival although he does not have full speech or co-ordinated movement.

His family believes exposure to the Warrnambool carnival, even in a small way, can only help with his recovery.

The carnival looked like getting off to a soggy start with heavy rain early yesterday, but the conditions improved steadily throughout the day and the track last night was rated a slow six for today's 10-race card.

WARRNAMBOOL THREE-DAY CARNIVAL

FEATURE RACES

TODAY

- Brierly Steeplechase (3450 metres) 2.15 pm

TOMORROW

- Galleywood Hurdle (3000 metres) 2.15 pm

- Wangoom Handicap (1200m) 3.30 pm THURSDAY

- Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500 metres)

- Warrnambool Cup (2350 metres)

© 2007 The Age

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