Sarah Bindle was recently celebrated as part of a select group of Gallagher Volunteer of the Year award recipients.
Bindle is a vital member of the Central Australian Drag Racing Association (CADRA) as its Treasurer and Events Manager.
Her tireless work is not confined only to those roles either. Bindle also often steps up as Meeting Director and Race Starter at major events and works around the clock to ensure all club meetings run efficiently. She does all this while living a busy life as a single mum and working full-time with the Central Desert Shire Council.
In nominating her for the Award, CADRA said that Bindle’s work was integral to the success of the 2021 Desert Nationals and the Red CentreNATS and commended her for her exemplary contribution to CADRA’s success.
“I was definitely surprised to receive the Gallagher Volunteer of the Year Award – I do what I do because I love the club, not for the awards,” Sarah smiled.
“I am absolutely honoured and humbled that the committee would pick me for this award.
“I would like to thank Emma Bell for bringing me into the committee two and a half years ago, as well as all of the racers, volunteers and committee members that I have worked with that have made my job so much more enjoyable.
“Thank you also to ANDRA and especially to our Divisional Director Peter Tzokas who always keeps me on my toes.
“I would like to say a special thank you to Jackie Mills and Scott Halfyard at ANDRA for always taking my call and answering all my silly questions!”
Bindle’s involvement in drag racing actually began with an interest in burnouts.
“My passion for motorsports started with the burnouts and after being a part of the committee I soon found my passion for drag racing growing,” the 33-year-old explained.
“Then, this year I helped to organise the Desert Nationals and watching the Top Doorslammers was just, ‘wow,’ and it just ignited my passion even more.
“I started with CADRA by volunteering in the bar and then was asked to attend a committee meeting. After that I started assisting creating posters and then our Treasurer stood down and I was asked to assist until the AGM.
“At that AGM, I was nominated in and since then I have helped wherever I can, including becoming Meeting Director, creating posters, undertaking event organisation, organising advertising and so much more.
“I love being in the thick of the action and ASID really is my happy place – no matter what is going on in my life, I can pull into the strip, and everything goes away.
“I feel that community is the wrong word, I find drag racing to be a family – everyone looks out for each other.
“To pick one singular stand out moment over my years in the sport is just not possible – there have been so many moments, it is too hard to pick just one.”
Gallagher is the official insurance broker of the Australian National Drag Racing Association and offers competitive, no obligation quotes on everything from your race trailers, to your business, to your race track. For more than 90 years, Gallagher’s tailored insurance, risk management and consulting solutions have helped businesses, communities and people face their futures with confidence. For more information, visit www.ajg.com.au
To learn more about the Central Australian Drag Racing Association, visit www.cadra.com.au
For more from ANDRA, please visit www.andra.com.au