The Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) Board of Directors and Management are delighted to announce the official 2026 MTC charity partnership with Pro Patria Centre, commencing earlier this year.

The Wagga based Pro Patria Centre provides current serving personnel, veterans and their families with social wellbeing and a sense of belonging once they have departed the military. Their mission to support Defence families, allowing for connection and minimising the challenges they face with life in a military family.

The purpose-built facility ensures veterans and first responders thrive no matter their circumstances.

Partnering with the MTC will see gate entry cash donations collected from several race meetings per year donated to Pro Patria Centre, with the chosen race days a new opportunity to fundraise for the Centre.

Two such race meetings have already been conducted, with donations already collected from those meetings. Several other race meetings later in the year will provide ample opportunity for further fundraising.

The partnership will also include the return of the well-known Wagga Gold Cup Pin, which will is an exclusive collectable item with the year 2026 engraved and new design, being sold alongside racebooks for $5 this coming Wagga Gold Cup Carnival. A portion of the sale will be donated to the Pro Patria Centre.

MTC CEO Jason Ferrario is thrilled to be supporting Pro Patria and to see the return of the Wagga Gold Cup Pin.

“Partnering with the Pro Patria Centre this year’s chosen charity is a great opportunity to fundraise and spread awareness of the amazing work that takes place at their centre in Wagga.”

“The MTC received a number of applications for this year’s partnership opportunity and with careful review we have decided to support the incredible work that Pro Patria Centre undertake.”

Now that we are in the second year of this fundraising initiative, it allows race goers to be a part of the fundraising experience with purchasing a Gold Cup Pin and one we hope to continue in the years to come.”  

Racegoers can purchase their Wagga Gold Cup pin on course over both days of the Carnival from race book sellers upon entry, as well as at the Members Bar and Trackside Bar on course.  

Pro Patria Ambassador Colin Taggart is delighted with this year’s partnership and is looking forward to working closely with the MTC.

“The Pro Patria Centre is delighted to be working with MTC this year and on behalf of the Board and Trust of PPC I would like to thank the MTC and especially Jason and his team for choosing

us to be the recipients of this charitable venture. The community has always been very generous in their support of Veterans and those who have served so I would like to thank them for assisting with our mission.”

As the year draws to a close, staff members from the Pro Patria Centre will be welcomed to the MTC for a formal presentation of the money raised throughout the year.

The MTC are looking forward to this new partnership and giving back to the local community at multiple race days throughout the year as well as the biggest country race meet in NSW, the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival on Thursday May 30 and Friday May 1.