Late last month, the men – who have a combined 70 years as directors of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club - were presented with Harness Racing Australia’s Meritorious Service Award for their years of contribution to the sport.

Now they are being praised for their donations that are set to bring a new memorabilia pavilion at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club (BHRC) to life.

The building would house significant items from the club’s 108-year history in its current location on College Road and its former site at the Bathurst Showground.

Mr Brien and Mr Mawhood, who are life members of the club, have contributed a significant portion of the $85,000 required for the pavilion’s construction.

BHRC’s sponsorship and marketing manager Marianne Donnelly praised the men’s generosity.

“It’s fantastic. We are so overwhelmed and it’s really appreciated by the club,” she said.

“They’ve been great contributors to the club.”

A development application (DA) to construct the pavilion has been lodged with Bathurst Regional Council.

Plans in the DA show the pavilion would be built along the southern side of the parade ring, in between the stables and clubhouse.

Ms Donnelly said the memorabilia pavilion would help to collate the club’s long and significant history in one place to ensure it was not lost.

“It’ll keep track of the history of the club and highlight the great horses and people in the club,” she said.

Ms Donnelly said some of Australia’s most well-known horses, including Hondo Grattan, King Frost, Rowleyalla and Smooth Satin, have taken to the BHRC’s track.

While the club was still waiting for plans to be approved, Ms Donnelly has called on members of the industry and community to search their cupboards for any memorabilia that could be included.

“It is important because the club’s history can be lost and there have been so many great people and horses in Bathurst,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of old photos that we brought from the showground and old race books. We’d like to get it built as soon as we can.”