Empowering women in the greyhound industry

But when she steps outside that bubble and chats with others not so in tune, she realises quickly the misconception still out there in the public.

Sarah, whose brother is Hall of Fame participant Martin Hallinan, started on the family farm in the NSW Central West before moving to Queensland in 2002 with her partner Andrew, before heading to their current home at Doubtful Creek, west of Lismore, 15 years ago.

"I've been involved in breeding, racing, training, have been a studmaster, I've just about done it all, but I'm at a point in life now that I have probably achieved all that I want to achieve and I'm just poking along at this stage," Sarah explained.

"During my time in the industry it's definitely been a level playing field between trainers. I have felt it's always been that way, but looking from the outside in, people that haven't had greyhounds or don't understand greyhounds, the perception is very different.

"It's an eye opener for me to talk to a stranger and they ask me what I do. When I explain to them what I do, a lot take a step back and think: 'Oh, I didn't expect that'. They have always looked at the sport as being for 70-year-old, grey haired, men.

"So within the industry, yeah, definitely a level playing field, but externally we're not there yet. We are starting to break down that perception though I think, but we need to keep trying to get people to the tracks."

Like many industries around the country, greyhound racing today celebrates the women in the sport on International Women's Day. While there has been a sustained move over the years to highlight and promote the women in the industry, Sarah believes now is the time to really push it.

"There's a lot more publicity out there and a lot more promotion with the industry now which is great, and the access is there to be able to promote more women in the sport as well. The avenues are there through people like Ladbrokes even, we just need to use them," she said.

"When I was 16 or 17 I went through a stage where I was - not quite an ambassador - but was put out there to promote greyhound racing. But sadly nothing ever came of it over the next 10 years regarding women in the sport. I do think now it's probably the time to do that sort of promotion again with so many successful women and girls in the industry.

"We also need to keep bringing younger people through, younger boys and girls. I think there are a hell of a lot coming through at the moment, especially up our way there's a lot of young ones who are interested and keen and a lot of new owners as well. But like I said we need to back ourselves and promote our sport, and keep trying to bring new people in, and nurturing the young ones who do join.

"One of the good things with the sport is that people are only too happy to help if they can. The best way for the majority of newcomers to learn, is to have the guts to ask someone in the industry - your Robbie Brittons and those sorts of people - for advice. That's the way you're going to learn and go forward in whatever you're trying to do in the industry.

"Everyone needs guidance, and there are so many people who want to give it to the next generation."

Over the years in the industry Sarah has had some smart greyhounds, notably Spanish Belle, a finalist in the 2003 Queensland Greyhound of the Year title won by Elite State, 2005 finalist Tiarta, as well Taye Diggs, Miss Angelique, Royal Pilgrim and more recently Dolly Dutton who won the Group 3 Young Guns at Albion Park last year.

While Andrew and Sarah have called the Northern Rivers home for 15 years, they are set to relocate to Queensland to be close to the new multi-million dollar facility to be built at Ipswich.

This article was produced as part of an ACM partnership with Greyhound Racing NSW.