Ballarat27 Aug 2010
The Emirates Melbourne Cup stops traffic in Main Street, Sovereign Hill
Following a few days of rest, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour was bound for Ballarat on Friday, 2 August, for a full day of community based events with Tour Ambassador’s, Mr John Russell, a legendary race caller, and Mr Greg Hall, 1992 Melbourne Cup winning jockey.
First stop was at Miners Rest Primary School, home to 120 students and nestled amongst Ballarat’s racing community. Students were treated to a viewing of the glistening Cup, as well as a question and answer session, a quick quiz and photo opportunities. A delicious spread of morning tea was provided by visiting parents and friends, who were also somewhat ‘star-struck’ by the Cup’s presence.
Next, it was on to a Civic Reception hosted by the City of Ballarat in the beautifully restored Ballarat Town Hall. Here, the CEO of the City of Ballarat, Mr Anthony Schlink and Cr. Cheryl Bromfield formally welcomed the Cup to Ballarat.
Following the Civic Reception, the Cup set off for Hailey House Hostel, where more than 100 residents listened to stories of past Melbourne Cups from Mr Russell and Mr Hall. Many of the residents had their photos taken with the Cup, with each of them eager to show their family and friends their brush with Melbourne Cup fame.
And of course no trip to Ballarat would be complete without a visit to Sovereign Hill, a true celebration of Ballarat’s rich history. Here, Mr Russel, Mr Hall and school children from Casterton Primary School, were photographed with the Cup and Sovereign Hill’s magnificent Clydesdales, stopping traffic in Sovereign Hill’s Main Street. As the rain came down the Tour entourage retreated to Sovereign Hill’s Bakery, and enjoyed freshly baked scones and refreshments.
The day’s final destination was Craig’s Royal Hotel, a regal and recently restored complex sprawling with history, including, a direct link to the Melbourne Cup. Craig’s welcomed the Cup with open arms, delighting in recalling the Melbourne Cup of 1870, won by Nimblefoot and owned by Walter Craig, the then proprietor of Craig’s Royal Hotel.
The evening event, hosted by the very hospitable John and Mary Finning of Craig’s Royal Hotel, and guests from the City of Ballarat, Ballarat Turf Club and wider community, enjoyed the official launch of Heroes and High Drama: 150th Melbourne Cup Exhibition Series, a free travelling photographic exhibition depicting imagery of iconic Melbourne Cup moments.
After a full day of events it was time for the Cup and Tour crew to head home to Melbourne. The Tour crew thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Ballarat and eagerly await the next leg of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour, to Warrnambool, on Tuesday, 31 August.
10:00am – 11:30am: Miners Rest Primary School for morning tea
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Civic Reception hosted by Mayor of City of Ballarat, Cr Judy Verlin
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Visit Ballarat Health Services Queen Elizabeth Centre
2:15pm – 3:15pm: Visit Sovereign Hill
5:00pm – 6:30pm: Heroes and High Drama: 150th Melbourne Cup Exhibition Series opening at Craig’s Royal Hotel
7:00pm – 10:00pm: Racing awards presentation dinner and Melbourne Cup celebration
*Please note that the above details may change closer to or on the day of the event
