THE smiles on people's faces said it all. The Great Chase event at Cranbourne last Monday night was more than just a chance to see the dogs race. It was an opportunity to enjoy a social evening out with friends and family, to mingle with other community members and to be treated like a VIP.
Cranbourne played host to round two of the 2007 Great Chase series with two provincial final races.
For two organisations, it meant a grand final berth this Wednesday at The Meadows racetrack and the chance to win up to $3000.
Narre Warren-based service Kalimna bought four of its clients along to the Great Chase semi-final to watch their adopted greyhound - Tekanawa Lad.
In the previous race, Tekanawa Lad had already won some much-needed funds for the group.
Kalimna, a non-profit facility with outlets in Narre Warren and Cranbourne, offers support for more than 60adults with a range of disabilities. For many of the clients, this was their first chance to get out with their families for a social evening.
Kalimna community outreach services co-ordinator Julie Congdon says it is important for the clients to be able to mingle with other clients as Kalimna's one-on-one programs don't allow much integration.
"We're really happy the Great Chase is a regular thing, because it will give them something to look forward to every year."
The outreach service gives clients the opportunity to learn new skills either individually or as part of a group.
Julie says that if they are fortunate to win the event, the money will enable them to start new programs such as cooking classes. She says that while each client receives their own funding for specific training, the initial outlay of the programs means a lot don't get off the ground.
She says the service is always looking for additional funds to assist with clients and help them to become more involved in the community.
Berwick's Jan Tandy has worked at Kalimna for about four months and she says The Great Chase event is encouraging for all involved.
"It is good to see the clients out with their families and mingling with others.
"For many it is the first time they have had contact with others their own age and people going through the same experiences as them.
"It is so nice to see everyone with smiles on their faces."
Peter, of Hampton Park, brought his son PJ to the event, saying it is one of the only opportunities he gets to socialise outside of work.
PJ, a client at Kalimna, suffered a stroke when he was five and has an acquired brain injury. He requires full-time care.
The single father says that between work and caring for PJ, there isn't time for anything else.
"It is a good opportunity to have a night out together and meet others.
"There is not a lot of chance for that normally. So at least this is one night I will remember forever," he says.
PJ, a keen sports fan, took the opportunity to have a punt on the dogs.
"They are so quick. I hate horses because I am allergic to them and I got kicked off a horse once," he says.
Peter says his son has a keen eye for the dogs, sometimes spending only a few dollars and coming away with a few hundred.
At the provincial finals, two other local groups were represented.
The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre and the MPS Society - a non-profit organisation formed by parents, relatives and friends of those suffering from a range of rare genetic disorders known collectively as the mucopolysaccharide (or MPS) diseases.
There were various other clients from groups across Melbourne, including a large number from the St John's Community Care Edward's Lodge in Reservoir.
John Bernhard has lived at the lodge for many years and says the event is one of the few opportunities he has to get out and about.
A former butcher and greyhound trainer, John says if he could put a lead on a dog again, he would train one.
"I love the dogs and I always had a good time when I came to see them race.
"It's been a really good opportunity to get out and see some old faces and have a bit of a yak to some of the trainers."
Fellow Edward's Lodge resident Heather Brown agrees.
She says the night out is a bit of fun and it is nice to be able to get out at night because they don't often get the chance.
"I've had a couple of bets and my husband Frank did too, but we haven't won anything yet - but that's OK, it's just fun."
The eagerly awaited grand final of the Great Chase takes place on Wednesday at The Meadows racetrack in Melbourne.
The winning group will take home $3000, second place $2000 and $1000 for third.
Thousands more may follow for the winning group, as they will be entitled to the equivalent of 10 per cent of the prize money won by their greyhound during the next 12 months.
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