The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous annual horse race. It is a 3200m/ 2miles race for 3 year olds and over. It is held in Melbourne on the first Tuesday in November. It is the richest two-mile race in the world. This year prize money totalled $8 million. It is one of the most popular spectator events in Australia with over 110,000 people attend dressed in both traditional 'raceday' wear and all manner of amusing and exotic costumes. This year there was the lowest attendance (81,400) since 1995. It has been speculated that this could be due to the record drought and the scandal about how race horses are badly treated after their career is over.
Besides many people attending the track in Melbourne, people all over Australia and New Zealand have lunchtime functions and stop to watch the race at 3:00pm. It's called "The race that stops the nation." The staff at our village organised a Melbourne Cup Luncheon and one of our residents made hats from recycled stuff for us to wear. She hired them out and the proceeds she donated to the RSPCA. (animal welfare).
Just one of the tables of happy villagers. When I met Brian in the blue shirt, we were surprised to find out we were in the same year at high school in Sydney in 1959.
Besides many people attending the track in Melbourne, people all over Australia and New Zealand have lunchtime functions and stop to watch the race at 3:00pm. It's called "The race that stops the nation." The staff at our village organised a Melbourne Cup Luncheon and one of our residents made hats from recycled stuff for us to wear. She hired them out and the proceeds she donated to the RSPCA. (animal welfare).
Dressed up ready for the luncheon. Village friends Julie and Roy.
The lunch was simply chicken, prawns and bread rolls.
But you could eat as much as you liked.
Our fabulous staff and partners.
Annie on the left is the lady who made 80 hats.
The best dressed won a prize.
Bill and his friend Eddie who came straight from England into our village. His stepson and family live nearby.
Bill won one of the raffles, a box of chocolates and a bunny rabbit.
He enjoyed pulling the rabbit out of his hat. We have lots of fun in our village.
lol. i love the video. well done Bill. and you look fab, i love black and white. you can never go wrong. those hats are very specky, everyone was very well turned out and a good time was had by all judging by the photos. :)
ReplyDeleteThe hats are all terrific. The resident maker of them could be a professional. Yours is good but my favourite is in the video at .25, the big black one. I guess neither you nor Brian remember each other from high school, but I bet your remembered people in common.
ReplyDeleteGood time was had by all it seems.
ReplyDeleteLove the hats, a talented lady.
Mention of the Melbourne Cup reminded me that at one time I would have been in New Zealand at this time of year. It reminded me of the days when the Grand National was a really important national event in Britain.
ReplyDeleteYou all look wonderful, that hatmaker is an artist!
ReplyDeletethe hats are spectacular... love the video, shows them so well... what a fun luncheon and I love the photo of you and your hubby... standing ovation for the Hat Maker
ReplyDeleteHello, looks like a fun event. I like the ladies hats, it reminds me of the Preakness and Derby hose races. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week!
ReplyDeleteGreat video
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun. Wish i belonged to a group who were so stylish and liked to get together.
ReplyDeleteWhat great fun you all have. Annie is very talented and creative, and my gosh, 80 hat!! That's a lot of work. I love the video. Your red hat is perfect - always a great color on you.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to the Melbourne Cup, my Dad has been twice. My Nanna loved the Cup never missed having a bet and listening to or watching the race
ReplyDeleteYou do indeed have a lot of fun in your retirement village, Diane. I enjoyed seeing your photos post and then watching Bill's video.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious the people in your village don't need to go to Melbourne to enjoy the Melbourne Cup. It looks as if everyone had a great time.
ReplyDeleteThose hats are delightful and how nice of the lady to make 80 of them and have it as a fund raiser.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure. Love the hats and my goodness...80 hand made treasures...
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun day, and those hats are lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove The Photos - What A Day
ReplyDeleteCheers
Just the mention of the Melbourne Cup makes me smile as I think of the fabulous hats and lovely smiles that go with them! Your group certainly looks cheery in your finery :)
ReplyDeleteMy Corner of the World
You certainly do have a lot of fun Diane. The hats are fabulous I particularly love Bill's hat, he looks very Ring Masterly 😊
ReplyDeleteWonderful post about the festivities. The lady who created your beautiful hats is very talented and how lovely for the proceeds to be donated to RSPCA. I also loved your outfit Diane, very stylish indeed.
ReplyDeleteAnnie is a very imaginative and talented lady, you are lucky to have her in your midst. Although I wouldn't mind betting you and your fellow villagers would have had a fine celebration anyway. Love the video with a cast a stars. Did you choose your own hats from what Annie had prepared or did she make with certain people in mind? Either way, yours is perfect on you.
ReplyDeleteA great post Diane. Wow, Annie is a most talented lady - each of her hats that you've shown are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove the luncheon pics. Yourself and Bill make a very smart couple in your great outfits. Cheers :D)
A super, fun event … and the hats are all wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Only the Queen with her hats were missing ! So funny ! Bill earned his price, but you too looked great !
ReplyDeleteI have never watched a horse or dog race because I knew that not all owners are nice to their animals if they don't bring a lot of money ! There is a new law here where the horse owners are strictly controlled. Dog racing doesn't exist here, at least I never have heard of it.