The race may stop a nation, but the Melbourne Cup trophy had the Bega Valley Shire in a buzz of activity during its two-day tour.
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The cup is made from hand-beaten 18-carat gold and is valued at $200,000. It spent Thursday and Friday touring the Sapphire Coast along with its entourage of a security guard, Melbourne Cup historian Andrew Lemon, Cup-winning jockey Wayne Harris and racing writer Keith Hillier.
On Friday morning, it stopped in at he Bega Cheese Heritage Centre where staff, their families and numerous visitors got to see the prestigious cup close-up and hear a few anecdotes from the Victoria Racing Club official guests.
Among the crowd queuing for a photo with the Melbourne Cup were Victorians Ray and Gwenda Milnes.
As it happened, this was the second time in two years they had the opportunity to hold the cup, both times entirely by surprise.
When holidaying in the small town of Blackall, Queensland, 1800km away from their home in Longwarry, Mr Milnes visited the post office and was greeted by a person handing out white gloves and offering to take photos with the iconic golden trophy.
“We were very surprised – there was no line or anything,” he said.
The couple remarked to each other at the time that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Two years later and driving through Bega with family, they stopped in at the heritage centre just to buy blocks of vintage cheese.
“We didn’t have a clue [it would be here] – this is terrific,” Mr Milnes said.
“I’ve lived in Melbourne all my life and never thought to be holding it.
“Instead of once in a lifetime, it’s been twice in two years!”
As well as the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, the Sapphire Coast Turf Club took the Lexus Melbourne Cup whale watching with Cat Balou, to the Eden Fishermen’s Club for morning tea, lunch at the Wharf Restaurant in Merimbula, dinner at the Tathra Beach Bowling Club and a champagne breakfast at Wheeler’s.
After Bega it was heading back to Melbourne to prepare for the Spring Racing Carnival.
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
