By Jessica Anstice
Bunyip will play host to the to the iconic 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup later this year as part of a fundraising initiative for the bushfire-affected community.
The small town was revealed as a tour destination at a special Victoria Racing Club launch event on Tuesday at Flemington Racecourse, joining 38 other towns and cities across the globe that will be part of the 17th annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.
The People’s Cup will stop in Bunyip on Thursday 17 October and the following day, it will visit the Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club.
The Bunyip community is still working through their event plans but from initial conversations they are hoping to integrate a school visit into the trip, as well as catch up with members of the CFA and hold a fundraising activity at the football club.
Bunyip Football Club senior coach Austin Jones said the event will be an opportunity for the community to come together, while raising money for a good cause at the same time.
“It’s yet to be confirmed closer to the date but the cup will probably be stationed down at the football club rooms for the day and the community will be invited down to see it and take photos with it,” he said.
“I’ll be pretty excited to be in same room as the original Melbourne Cup and I’m sure a lot of others will be too.
“For the short term it will allow people to have a bigger interest in the Melbourne Cup this year and in time they will be able to tell their friends and family that they held the real cup which is exciting.”
