Instead, Judd prefers to keep the club humming along liaising with drivers, trainers and the sport’s governing body.

However, there was no hiding out in the crowd for Judd last Sunday as she was inducted in as a life member of the Junee Harness Racing Club.

Judd said she had “no idea” she would receive the honour.

“My brother (Trevor White) had just won the (Pacers) Cup and I was pretty excited about that and then they sprung this on me,” she said.

“I prefer to be in the background doing the work.”

Club president Trevor Allamby said Judd had worked in the same position as secretary for close to 25 years.

“It’s the main job in the club and keeps it all together,” Allamby said.

“She’s terrific at the job.

“Jo’s not the longest serving life member, but she’s put in more than her fair share of effort.” Allamby said.

Judd took over the role after her sister Marlene White, who was secretary for six years, moved to Temora.

“I was pregnant with my eldest child – it’s close to 24 years, I’ve enjoyed it.”

Being secretary isn’t just taking the minutes and Judd said it was having to balance the needs and expectations of drivers, trainers as well as the club’s objectives.

Judd’s ties to harness racing run deep.

“It’s something we’ve always done as a family – going along to the trots and having horses racing,” she said.

“Our mum was very passionate about harness racing, Dad trained horses and won races.”

That connection has continued with her son Chris Judd winning his first professional race in November and daughter Tegan Judd racing mini-trotters.

During her involvement with the sport, Judd said there had been big changes – from the introduction of rolling starts to the testing of horses for performance enhancing substances.