Bill Elson farewell planned as breeding legacy is reborn

By Pat McLeod

The first rays of sunshine are starting to return to Silvie’s Lodge, the 40-acre Churchable property that has been the epicentre of one of Australia’s most remarkable greyhound stories.

On Saturday those rays will grow in number and intensity as Cyndie Elson hosts a celebration of life for her husband, Bill, who passed away last Sunday, October 6.

“Mum wants the day to be happy, full of laughter and fun stories about dad,” Travis Elson said.

Travis is Cyndie and Bill’s son and a champion greyhound trainer in his own right.

“The celebration is at their home, Silvie’s Lodge, because that place was so special to dad," Travis said. 

“Dad was a proud man and there were probably only a few things that he was prouder of than what he and mum were able to achieve at that property.”

In just over a decade Cyndie and Bill bought and then transformed Silvie’s Lodge into one of the most successful breeding barns in greyhound history.

However, over the past three years, while the racing side of that operation has continued to flourish, breeding has stopped.

Workload as well as health issues with both Cyndie (back) and Bill (dementia) forced the breeding ‘tap’ to be turned off.

But, Travis has revealed that although Bill’s passing has enveloped the family in sadness, his father’s legacy is about to be revitalised.

“Mum is breeding again,” Travis said, unable to hide the joy in his voice.

“Magical Hope (Fernando Bale and Cyndie's Magic) has been put to Bernardo in just the last couple of weeks.

“Magical Hope was an excellent race bitch (90 starts for 21 wins and 20 placings for $122,400 in prize money). We are all very excited. Mum has just turned 70, has had a back operation and health-wise is feeling a lot better.

“The loss of dad is a major blow, but greyhound racing is in her blood. I have no doubt she will continue what her and dad worked so hard to build.

“That is why she wants lots of people out at their property next Saturday to celebrate what dad achieved and who he was. It will be a really casual gathering with mum supplying all the food and drinks.”

There will be plenty of stories told on Saturday, many around how Bill Elson, the retired carpenter, who over the years dabbled in both greyhound and thoroughbred racing, decided at 66 years of age to ‘dive into the deep end’ and purchase the property that was to become Silvie’s Lodge.

And, how Travis and wife Hope were sent on a buying trip to Sydney, via Dapto, and through good luck and good management returned with four greyhounds, including the cornerstone of the breeding empire, Regal Silver.

However, Travis emphasised that his parents’ success in greyhounds wasn’t based on luck.

“When dad decided to move to Churchable and go full-time into greyhounds I had no doubt that he would go well,” Travis said.

“To me, dad had always worked hard, nothing was too much.

“He also lived by the motto, which he drilled into Warren (Travis’ older brother) and I, ‘If you are going to do something, be good at it’. And, that is exactly what he and mum have done at Silvie’s Lodge.”

Bill Elson celebration of life

Friends and colleagues of Bill Elson are invited to a celebration of Bill's life on Saturday the 19th October at the Elson property.

Address: 27 Jamieson Road, Churchable.

Time: 4pm.

All welcome.

Food and drinks will be supplied.

Plenty of room to camp out for the night if people wish.