Sale02 Aug 2010
Jim Johnson and Mick Robins with students from Gippsland Grammar
Bright eyed and bushy tailed, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour (EMCT) kicked off its annual Australasian journey with its first stop scheduled for the Gippsland town of Sale today, Monday, 2 August 2010.
Marking the 150th Melbourne Cup celebrations, the Tour visited Sale, one of 32 Australasian host destinations, to pay tribute to the heroes, stories and destinations that have shaped the history of the nation’s great race.
Setting off in the early hours with the famous ‘Loving Cup’ and arriving to a crisp Gippsland morning, the Tour entourage including, dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer, Mick Robins and three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey, Jim Johnson, were ready to hit the ground running.
Escorted by the Sale Turf Club, the day’s events commenced at Central Gippsland Health Service where the group was joined by The Gippsland Times and visited several wards throughout the facility, bringing some joy to those who need it.
After the humbling hospital visit, the Tour entourage was welcomed by the spirited staff at Evelyn Wilson Aged Care Facility dressed in bright green jockey silks and thrilled to be hosting the EMCT.
Telling stories of their connection with the ‘loving Cup’ and each other, Jim Johnson spoke about winning three Melbourne Cups including two on Rain Lover who was trained by fellow Tour Ambassador, Mick Robins. The residents eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of being able to hold the iconic Cup, taking photographs to remember the once in a lifetime experience.
The Tour then continued onto the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre, where the current 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup joined local icons including, Patrobas’ 1915 Cup and the 1973 strapper’s Cup won by Gala Supreme. Guests were also fortunate to meet 92-year-old, Jean Marsh, the niece of Gippsland’s very own Edith Widdis who became the first female Melbourne Cup owner with Patrobas in 1915.
Welcomed by the Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Scott Rosetti, guests shared the spectacle of the three Cups, with the historical 1915 Cup, one of the best displayed Cups in Australia, delicately removed from its security glass cabinet for the exclusive event. With WIN TV there to capture the action, guests once again enjoyed reflecting on the Melbourne Cup’s history with the Tour Ambassadors and the race’s connection with Sale at a local level.
Members of the Sale community and school students from Sale Primary School attended the Cup’s next stop at the Gippsland Centre Sale. More than 100 gathered at the Centre where children engaged in a Q&A session with duo Jim and Mick about everything from the difficulty of mounting a horse to whether the Cup was still hand-made.
Tour Ambassadors awarded prizes for a Melbourne Cup colouring-in competition and racing trivia questions, with the Gippsland Times capturing happy snaps of delighted faces as the crowd experienced the golden glow of the coveted trophy.
The Tour continued its Sale visit, stopping at Gippsland Grammar School where the crowd were thrilled to be in the company of the racing greats, eagerly questioning the Tour Ambassadors about their experiences and hanging around for autographs from the famous duo.
The day’s events culminated with the launch of Heroes and High Drama: 150th Melbourne Cup Exhibition at the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre, where local 1973 Melbourne Cup winning strapper, Ian Hutchins, Melbourne Cup memories further highlighted Sale’s connection Australia’s great race.
Guests had the exclusive first glance at Heroes and High Drama: 150th Melbourne Cup Exhibition, a travelling photographic exhibition which acknowledges the significance that the Melbourne Cup has made to Australia’s sporting and cultural heritage featuring images of some of the most memorable Melbourne Cup moments in history.
Sale and its surrounding community will be able to access the free exhibition from Monday, 2 August to Thursday, 12 August 2010.
After a full day of activities, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour is off and racing, with Tour Ambassadors excited for the next leg of the journey to South Australia, heading to Adelaide on Thursday, 5 August.
9:00am – 9:45am: Visit Central Gippsland Health Service
9:45am – 11:00am: Visit Evelyn Wilson Aged Care Facility
11:30am – 12:45pm: Luncheon at Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Visit Gippsland Centre Sale
2:30pm – 3:10pm: Visit Gippsland Grammar School
6:00pm –8:00pm: Exhibition opening at Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre
*Please note that the above details may change closer to or on the day of the event
