Ballina greets the Melbourne Cup
As part of its the annual journey across Australasia, the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour visited Ballina last weeked, providing the local community with an opportunity to experience the coveted Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy first hand.
Ballina is one of 23 host destinations on this year’s Tour, which celebrates the cultural and social significance of the iconic trophy in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In its seventh year, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than 160,000 kilometres and visited close to 150 towns and cities across Australasia, reaching thousands of people.
Ballina was the first stop within New South Wales on the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour itinerary and is home to racing great, Scott Seamer, who rode Ethereal to victory to claim the 2001 Melbourne Cup.
The Tour highlights the heroes connected with the 148-year history of the illustrious race, and Jim Johnson, racing legend and three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey 1963 (Gatum Gatum) and in 1968 and 1969 (Rain Lover), joined the Tour’s entourage, for the first time, during the Cup’s visit to Ballina.
“It’s my first experience on the Tour and it has been such a privilege to see what joy the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour can bring to communities across Australia. I’ve been impressed to see the level of effort that towns have put into welcoming the iconic Cup,” said Mr Johnson.
Sarah Wills, CEO at Ballina Jockey Club and the official organiser for the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour’s visit to Ballina, was thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Cup.
“We are honoured that the Victoria Racing Club provided us the opportunity to host the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour. The whole Ballina community has been eagerly waiting upon the Cup’s arrival for their chance to see the iconic trophy up close and personal,” said Ms Wills.
During its visit to Ballina, the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour participated in a range of community events planned by racing groups and local organisations, including a family fun day at the Ballina Jockey Club, morning tea at Crowley Retirement Village, a public viewing at Ballina RSL, followed by a Calcutta call at the Bangalow Hotel.
You can track the Tour’s progress by visiting www.melbournecuptour.com.au
PICTURES: Crowley Village resident Aileen Larkin with the Cup. A distant relative of Aileen was a strapper for Archer, which won the first two Melbourne Cups; and Ballina Shire Mayor Phillip Silver with three-time winning Melbourne Cup jockey Jim Johnson.
