

of Australia Ltd, the first of which was held on 8 June 1980 at Warwick Farm (and later at Amaroo Park). Her work included running an annual mileage marathon sponsored by the Shell Oil Co. With the aid of a lively events committee, Packard achieved much during the following years the AARC organised several club race meetings per year. The club relocated its racing to Amaroo Park, in north-western Sydney. When the circuit at Warwick Farm closed in 1973 and Sykes retired, Packard succeeded him as club secretary of the AARC. Presenting her with a service award in 1979 from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), Sir Jack Brabham spoke of her ‘calm efficiency’, and stated that ‘motor sport is yet another of those activities that rely on people, special people, and Mary Packard is one of the most special that we know’ ( Australian Automobile Racing Club Newsletter 1979, 676). Spirited and direct, at times she went beyond her role as Sykes’s assistant, instructing him on what to do instead of waiting for directions or advice. On race days at Warwick Farm, whether members’ meetings or National Open events, she oversaw with assurance the intense atmosphere of the pit offices, among other duties preparing detailed race reports for the benefit of journalists.

In the AARC’s office in central Sydney she performed secretarial and receptionist duties. Her role involved managing the membership of the club Sykes established to foster grassroots motor racing-the Australian Automobile Racing Club (AARC). While she never owned an exotic or sporty car, Packard was soon enthusiastically embracing motor racing. Agreeing to work for Sykes for three weeks, she remained for twenty-six years. Fond of classical music and literature-she was inclined to quote from Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare throughout her life-she was initially uninterested in cars and diffident about motor sport. At first glance, she seemed ill-suited to the job.
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The 1960s were the golden years of Australian motor racing when the affable Sykes attracted European Formula 1 drivers to Australia in the summer months to take part in the Tasman series. In 1960 Packard accepted work with Geoffrey Sykes, who was establishing a motor racing circuit at Warwick Farm funded by the Australian Jockey Club. After working for a short period in Britain she returned to Australia in 1952, and held various office jobs in Sydney.

Mary was educated at Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School.
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PACKARD, EILEEN MARY (1928–1995), sporting club and professional association administrator, was born on 27 January 1928 at Greenwich, Sydney, fourth child of South Australian–born Charles Harrison Packard, sales manager, and his New South Wales–born wife Eileen, née Brown.
