He served for 13 years on the committee of the club.
He stepped down in October after three years as president.
"He has been a tireless worker for the club over many years," Alan Clyma, the president, said.
Ray Hanson, a member of the committee, who proposed the life membership, said Mathieson had been instrumental in the club affirming Forbury Park as a venue for racing.
A management committee appointed by the club in 1996 had recommended a feasibility study be undertaken of relocating the club to Wingatui, the course operated by the Otago Racing Club.
The Forbury Park club was then in dire financial straits.
Mathieson requisitioned a special meeting of the Forbury Park club that year and a large majority of members voted to remain at the venue, pre-empting the feasibility study.
"The club committee at the time had gone about things the wrong way. You have to take members with you in major decisions," Mathieson said.
Relocation has again been raised after an approach from the ORC and Mathieson views the matter: "I think the club should stay at Forbury Park. I believe the cost of setting up at Wingatui would be too great."
Ian Woodhouse, the chief executive of the Forbury Park club, told the meeting yesterday the club had identified consultants who could undertake the feasibility study.
Terms of reference had also been decided in consultation with the ORC.
Both items had been submitted to the New Zealand Racing Board, which has agreed to fund the feasibility study.
The board of management at Forbury Park has decided the club will take over the operation of the Wobbly's bar and restaurant located on the course.
Frank Murphy will relinquish his lease of the premises at the end of January.
"Frank deserves the highest praise for his foresight in establishing Wobbly's. It became a blueprint for other racecourses," Clyma said.
