Colourful Cup celebration at Fullarton

The weather may have been grey and gloomy for the Melbourne Cup lunch at Living Choice Fullarton, but inside the Great Hall, the room was a riot of colour. More than 60 residents and guests dressed up in an array of stunning outfits and hats to rival the famous Bird Cage at Flemington!

Helen Bonet, who organised the event with Graham Short and Peter Radovic, said the festivities kicked off at 11.30am with a glass of bubbly and people buying tickets in the sweep.

“By noon, everyone was seated at their tables which were decorated in the colours of jockeys’ silks. Many tables also had beautiful pink roses.”

Lunch, which was prepared by the village’s onsite restaurant, Castello’s Cucina, consisted of a platter of antipasto with Italian bread, followed by either steak or barramundi, both on a bed of parsnip puree and served with vegetables and a generous salad to share.

“The dessert was an orange drizzle cake with cream - everything was delicious,” said Helen.

Prior to the race, prizes were awarded for best dressed. Congratulations to Helen Hammond who won Best Dressed Female, Hayden Evans who won Best Dressed Male and John Jackson and Heather who were adjudged the Best Couple. Marlene Leach received a special prize for her beautiful jacket, Heather Geytenbeek won a prize for her jacket and hat combination and Betty Blackwood won a prize, simply for looking so glamorous.

The Cup horses were “auctioned” by Graham Short and his wife, June, was successful in “buying” Gold Trip, earning her a windfall of $500.

“A great time was had by all, with lots of money collected by those who had winnings from sweep tickets and those who bought a horse. Watching the Cup on our large screen was perfect. What a day we had – roll on Melbourne Cup 2023!”