2012 Melbourne Cup Day
Today is the first Tuesday in November: Melbourne Cup Day. This is a gazetted public holiday in Victoria and an unofficial public holiday virtually everywhere else in Australia. While nearly all businesses in the South Burnett will attempt to trade as normal - and all government and public offices will be open for the daily grind - the majority of people will either be taking a bit of time out or abandoning any pretence of following a normal day's routine from about 12 noon onwards. As usual, the South Burnett will be celebrating the occasion with a number of Melbourne Cup Day functions along with the Kumbia Race Club's 41st annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting (see entry immediately below): a really great bush race meeting that's become something quite special to all of us over the years. But if you can't make it trackside at Kumbia, then here's how the rest of us will be celebrating our uniquely Australian love of the turf around the South Burnett today:
41st Annual Kumbia Melbourne Cup Day Races
- The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding their 41st Annual Melbourne Cup Day Races at the Kumbia racetrack from around 11:00am this morning through until late in the afternoon (the first race leaves the barriers at 1:30pm). This very popular 5-card event is the only live Cup Day race meeting in the South Burnett and it always attracts a great crowd. As usual, the meeting will include a Fashions of the Field parade with prizes for the best-dressed man and woman and the most spectacular hat; lots of raffles and a Lucky Race Book. There'll also be a BBQ and canteen in operation as well as full Sky-TV race meeting coverage, a vigorous betting ring and equally vigorous action of a beer, wine and cheese kind in the Pamsand Bar, as well as a Fashion Parade and wine tastings. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for concessions, and a bus will be travelling from the Carrollee Hotel in King Street, Kingaroy to the racetrack at 11:00am, then returning at the end of the day if you'd like to avoid the drive (you can book seats on this bus by phoning hotel on (07) 4162-1055 - tickets are $25 per head including the race entry fee). More details? Contact the Kumbia Race Club Secretary on (07) 4163-7200 or President on (07) 4164-4155.
Melbourne Cup High Tea - Nanango
- A Melbourne Cup High Tea will be held at the Nanango State High School Hall in Elk Street, Nanango from 1:00pm to 3:00pm today. The event has been organised by the Nanango State High School P&C Association as a fundraiser, and the $15 entry fee includes a great High Tea; live entertainment by Bobby Ricks; sweeps and raffles. Tickets can be pre-purchaed from the High School's office (and if you do so by October 30th, your name will go into a special prize draw) but they'll also be available at the door. More details? Phone the school on (07) 4171-6444
Maidenwell QCWA Meeting & Melbourne Cup Luncheon
- The Maidenwell branch of the QCWA will be holding their regular monthly meeting at the Maidenwell Hall Supper Room from 9:00am this morning (when things kick off with a welcoming cuppa) through until this afternoon. The branch meeting itself will commence at 9:30am and all ladies in the Maidenwell and Bunya Mountains areas are very welcome to come along, meet the other branch members and see what this very active branch does. But since today is also Melbourne Cup Day, the monthly meeting will be followed by a $10 per head Melbourne Cup Luncheon from 12:00 noon (along with a mini cent auction and raffles) to which everyone is welcome. You can obtain more details by phoning Glenda on (07) 4164 6137 or by emailing her.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Blackbutt
- A Melbourne Cup Day Lunch will be held at the Blackbutt RSL from 12:00 noon toay. For $15, patrons can enjoy a 2-course meal plus sweepstakes, raffles, big screen coverage of the race and prizes for the best-dressed and best hat. Everyone is welcome! More details and bookings? (07) 4163-0444.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Wondai
- The Wondai Hospital Auxiliary will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch at the Wondai RSL in Mackenzie Street, Wondai from 10:00am onwards today. The lunch will feature entertainment, sweeps, raffles, good food, a fashion parade by Tranquilluty & Soul and big screen coverage of the race. Tickets are $25 per head, and all proceeds will go to aid the Wondai hospital and nursing home. You can book tickets at the RSL or by phoning Dot on (07) 4168-5290.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy
- The Kingaroy Bowls Club in Youngman Street, Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 12:00 noon onwards today (doors open at 10:30am). For just $15.00 a head guests will be able to enjoy a great lunch; a fashion parade; sweeps; novelties; and get to watch the race on a big screen TV. There'll also be a prize for any guest wearing an outfit with the winning jockey's colours. Bookings? Phone (07) 4162-1404.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Murgon
- The Murgon Services Club in Lamb Street, Murgon will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 12:00 noon onwards today (doors to the Diggers Room open around 10:00am). The lunch will include a Fashion Parade by Murgon Trendsetter; prizes for guests wearing the winning jockey's colours; bottle store raffles; sweeps; lucky door prizes; a great lunch and wide screen coverage of the big race. Tickets to the lunch are $22 per head and need to be booked in advance from Murgon Trendsetter. More details? Phone the Services Club on (07) 4168-1819 or Murgon Trendsetter on (07) 4168-1490.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Moffatdale
- Bridgeman Downs Cellars at Moffatdale will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 12:00 noon today. There'll be a $40 buffet lunch on offer (including a glass of sparkling) along with sweepstakes, a mock horse race, live coverage of all the racing action, plus prizes for the best dressed and best hat. Bookings are essential, though: (07) 4168-4784.
Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Proston
- A Melbourne Cup unch will be held at the Proston Golf Club today. More details will be published as they become available - or you can phone the golf club in the meantime on (07) 4168-9367.
Kingaroy Swimming Club Meeting
The Kingaroy Swimming Club will be holding their regular Tuesday Club Night meeting at the Kingaroy Swimming Pool at the corner of Alford and William Streets, Kingaroy from 6:00pm onwards this evening. New members are always welcome and the pool is heated. More details? Phone Richard on (0457) 502-969 or email him. Note: Entry to the pool is via the side gate in William Street if the main entry is closed. And in case of wet weather - or any other apparent reason for cancellation - contact can be made with the pool staff after 5:00pm on the day to check if the Club Night will be conducted.
Tuesday Morning Bingo - Kingaroy
- The Kingaroy Senior Citizens Centre in Avoca Street, Kingaroy will be holding bingo matches from 9:30am to 12:00 noon this morning. There'll be a $100 jackpot, all books are $1, and morning tea is available for 60c. Everyone is welcome. More details? Phone (07) 4162-7300
Kingaroy Writers Association Meeting - Kingaroy
- The Kingaroy Writers' Association will be holding their twice-monthly meeting between 9:30am and 12:00 noon this morning at the Uniting Church Hall on the corner of Alford and Youngman Streets in Kingaroy. Members meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month to share their work with other members and take part in writing and word exercises. Membership is just $5 per annum and meetings are $2 to cover tea and coffee (bring a plate for a shared morning tea experience). New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Geoff on (07) 4162-1885.
South Burnett Young Leaders Association Meeting - Kingaroy
- The South Burnett Young Leaders Association will be holding their monthly General Meeting in the Kingaroy RSL's Anzac Room in Markwell Street, Kingaroy from 6:00pm to 8:00pm this evening. The SBYLA is involved in organising a range of activities in the South Burnett (eg: the Kingaroy Christmas Carnival) and provides business training to its members. Newcomers are very welcome and dinner can be purchased from $10. More details? Phone Brooke on (0412) 462-377 or email her.
Elgin Vale QCWA Meeting
- The Elgin Vale branch of the QCWA will be holding their monthly meeting at Elgin Vale Hall at 10:00am this morning. All interested people are welcome to attend. More details? Phone Lois on (07) 4162-3824.
Kumbia QCWA Meeting
- The Kumbia QCWA will be holding their regular first Tuesday of the month meeting at the Kumbia QCWA Rooms in Bell Street. The meeting will start with a cuppa at 9:30am before getting down to business at 10:00am. New members are very welcome! More details? Phone Lil on (07) 4164-4218 or Mollie on (07) 4164-4191.
AFL 9s Competition - Kingaroy
- The new South Burnett Saints AFL team will be holding the third round of an AFL 9s competition at Lyle Vidler Oval in Youngman Street, Kingaroy at 6:00pm this evening. AFL
9s is a nine-a-side non-contact game which features mixed sides of men and women (as well as children aged 13 and over) and is suitable for players of all abilities. Everyone is welcome. More details? Contact competition co-ordinator Will Reid on (0417 144-062.
Art Geckos - Kingaroy
- The Kingaroy Friendly Art Group (the "Art Geckos") will be holding their regular Tuesday morning meeting at the 1913 Council Chambers in Edward Street, Kingaroy at 9:30am this morning. The Geckos cater for everyone from learners through to experienced artists and anyone with an interest in art is very welcome. All you need to bring along are your own materials. More details? Phone Daphne on (07) 4162-7112.
South Burnett Chorale - Kingaroy
- The South Burnett Chorale will be holding the regular Tuesday night practice meeting at the Church of Christ Hall at the corner of Haly and Burnett Streets in Kingaroy at 7:30pm this evening. New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Di on (07) 4162-1647
Indoor Bowls Night - Nanango
- The Nanango Indoor Bowls Association will be holding their regular weekly indoor bowls matches inside the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango at 7:30pm this evening. New players are very welcome. More details? Phone Keith on (07) 4163-1522 or Denise on (07) 4163-2263
Tuesday Afternoon Scrabble - Kingaroy
- The South Burnett Scrabble Group will be meeting at Kingaroy RSL in Markwell Street, Kingaroy between 1:00pm and 5:00pm this afternoon for social Scrabble games. New members are very welcome! More details? Phone Beryl on (07) 4162-3609.
Blackbutt Singers Practice Morning - Yarraman
- The Blackbutt Singers will holding their regular Tuesday morning practice session at the Yarraman Community Hall in Browne Street, Yarraman at 9:30am today. The group is celebrating its 21st birthday in 2012 and new members are very welcome. More details? Call Maree on (07) 4163-0581.
