A very sad week unfolded when I took a call 7.30 Wednesday night from mate Graeme Bate to inform me we lost a wonderful human being in Paul Wheeler. I was lucky to enjoy Paul’s company on a number of occasions and always found him happy and engaging. Forthright in his opinions of our industry but always free with his time for any purpose or person who required his extraordinary knowledge. My fondest memory will always be standing beside him when we watched perhaps the most exciting Melbourne Cup final in history. His superstar Dyna Double One running down his other superstar kennelmate Fernando Bale. The emotion of the finish was breathtaking. My condolences to Jan, Brendan and Nicole and his extended family. I wrote this tribute about Paul when we inducted him into the GCA Hall Of Fame in 2016.
Patricia Williams – One of the best ever in greyhounds Didnt miñd helping newcomers as i found many years ago
Mario Chiko Muzza Agius– Never had the pleasure But what an impact on the greyhound industry he had and will continue to have
Condolences to his family & friends
Gary Smith– A true legend and a huge loss to everyone, my condolences to the family 🌹😢
Ian Kurzke– True Gentleman…RIP.
Jaimie Davis– Tragic loss , greatest influence to greyhound Racing god bless PAUL WHEELER Rest In Peace
Mick Haskas– Rip paul
Rita Gatt– Rip 🙏🌹🙏🌹
Mick Haskas– Wher would we be if you took all the bale dogs out of breeding?
Ros Scotney– A true statesman for the Greyhound industry. 🙏💐
Roxy Farrell– An absolute genius in the breeding field , such a shock to the industry to loose such an icon at such a young age , your legacy to greyhound breeding / racing will never be forgotten … RIP
Don McMillan– A good bloke far too young
Mark Rodgers– Rest in peace Paul he was one of the best
Diane Hannon– So sad to lose such a brilliant mind from the greyhound fraternity. RIP Paul Wheeler. The legend will live on.
Diane Hannon– Thanks also to Neil Brown for a very informative story of Paul and family’s success.
George Clegg– We bought Odilisque a litter sister to Odious back in 1975 from his parents Diane. They had a once in a generation damline. He took it all to a different level. Gone too soon
Reg Hazelgrove-There will never be another one like him
Richard Elbourne- Massive loss to the family and huge loss to the industry. Condolences .
David Jones– Condolences to the family RIP
Mark Small– A wonderful tribute Neil 🙏🏻 and condolences to the whole Wheeler family 😥
Tony Welch– RIP..
Mark Small– Neil, I know it is Caulfield Cup & The Everest week but can’t help but feel disappointed if not upset that a Sporting/Racing identity has not covered Paul’s passing on any TV station….. Tommy Smith, Bart Cummings etc had numerous reports and tributes and even a traffic accident gets a mention on national news 😔😥
If the Wheeler family has perhaps requested privacy instead then I totally understand 🙏🏻
Neil Brown– Mark Small Couldn’t agree more perhaps it’s still Greyhound Racing in that second spot. Certainly been well covered by the industry. I know they are doing a big tribute on the Catching Pen this week.
Jeff Collerson– Mark Small That’s the way it is now mate. I wrote an obit on Paul for GRNSW website and Jan Wheeler sent me a lovely thank you note. Agree with you about the way the world is now. One of my great mates Fred Jones who played footy for Australia and captained Manly’s first premiership winning team in ’72 died earlier this year. I messaged the appropriate newspaper people but not ONE paragraph about his passing. Yet lesser players get a two page spread!! Go figure!
Mark Small– Jeff Collerson what has happened to good old fashioned values 🤷♂️🤦🏼♂️ … it seems the minority, anti everything, I don’t give a 🤬 groups gain the majority of protest acceptance & news coverage.
I watched the wonderful tribute on The Catching Pen last night … but continue to think how sad it is that in this case Paul, but “why can’t influential, industry professionals (whether trade, music, tv) etc not sought for their leadership or to be praised prior to their passing” 🤔
I watched an interview with the National Hospitality CEO this morning complaining about Victoria demanding vaccination by this Friday “saying it’s too short notice” but he stumbled by asked “why” his members hadn’t already got the jab as part of normal health & safety 🤝
Cheryl Pirani– Gone too soon.
Richard Thompson-An Icon in greyhound racing Will be sadly missed