THE MELBOURNE CUP

 First of all CONGRATULATIONS to Melbournians for tolerating months of lockdown, but you have done it! No cases for a week. Hopefully, you can start to enjoy life again a little. All states in Australia are down to zero or single digit cases now. We have adhered  to strict restrictions and now we are so lucky compared to Europe and USA. 

Every year on the second Tuesday in November, The Melbourne Cup horse race is run. It is our most famous race nicknamed,  'The Race That Stops a Nation' because everyone stops at 3:00 pm to watch the race. There are many parties and sweeps arranged around the country. However, due to Melbourne's Covid restrictions the race was run without the thousands of spectators that usually go dressed in their best or most outlandish costumes and hats.

Naturally, our village joined in the fun. The staff organised a luncheon and viewing of the race in our community centre.   We had prawns, chicken, salad and bread rolls a typical race day lunch. We had winners of the sweeps and winners of the best dressed. Annie, one of our residents, made hundreds of hats for us to hire for $5 and then she donated the money to an animal refuge.

Staff and residents prepare the lunch.

Our CEO prepared the salad.

Chiou See (CEO) explaining how lunch will be served to accommodate the Covid regulations (No buffets allowed)

We had lunch with village friends on our table.

Our village blow up mannequin came along as a jocky. Gwen and Sandra have fun with him.

Everyone stops to watch "The Melbourne Cup". We watched it on the big screen in the hall.

Bill's sweep horse came first.

After lunch chocolates.

The best dressed gents.

The best dressed ladies.

The staff relax at last after organising our Melbourne Cup Lunch.

We had fun. The race was also shown on the TV in the Library, which is at the end of the hall. The many hats for hire were on display there too.