Candice Warner to attend AAMI Victoria Derby Day

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced that former athlete and national media personality Candice Warner will make her Melbourne Cup Carnival debut at AAMI Victoria Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday 2 November as a special guest of the Club.

Candice and her husband, Australian cricketer David Warner, are racing enthusiasts and currently own thoroughbreds across Australia. They are also in the brewing business with jockey Tommy Berry and trainer Michael Freedman. Their boutique brewery is located at the Freedman family’s old training track, Markdel, which famously housed three-time Melbourne Cup-winning mare Makybe Diva.

Sydneysider Candice said she was excited to be heading to Melbourne for AAMI Victoria Derby Day.

“The Melbourne Cup Carnival has long been on my bucket list and I am very much looking forward to immersing myself in Group 1 racing as well as the fashion and the famous party atmosphere I’ve heard so much about in the VRC’s Birdcage Enclosure and I can’t wait to see 1 Oliver St,” she said.

“As a mother and former athlete, it’s nice to shake off the activewear from time to time and get into the spirit of a world-class race day. I’ve heard the fashion stakes are particularly high at Flemington, and I’m looking forward to embracing the classic black and white dress code for AAMI Victoria Derby Day and joining the thousands of other Sydneysiders flocking to Melbourne for the biggest week of racing on the Australian calendar.”

As the VRC’s special guest Candice will visit the VRC’s hero marquee in the world-famous Birdcage Enclosure, 1 Oliver St, and the VRC’s general admission precinct, The Park, where she will judge Myer Fashions on the Field.

VRC Executive General Manager Customer Engagement Caroline Ralphsmith said the Club was delighted to welcome Candice to Flemington for the first time.

“The Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off in classic style on AAMI Victoria Derby Day and we look to our special guest, Candice Warner, to add some extra monochromatic chic to day one of the Carnival, a day that traditionally attracts the nation’s fashion set and racing purists,” she said.

“We are especially looking forward to sharing the delight and sheer happiness that comes with your first Melbourne Cup Carnival experience with Candice and all first-time Flemington visitors.”

Candice’s first visit to Flemington will come just months after the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour caught up with her husband David in the UK ahead of Australia’s iconic Ashes series win.

AAMI Victoria Derby Day is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious days of racing in Australasia, with four Group 1 races worth A$1 million or more. The pinnacle of the day is the feature Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby worth A$2 million in prize money and is Australia’s premier staying classic for three-year-olds. The day is known for sophisticated elegance and tasteful indulgence with a traditional dress code of black and white.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival, held at the iconic Flemington Racecourse, is the pinnacle social and sporting event in Australia, bringing together the biggest names in fashion, sport, business, entertainment and hospitality.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: Flemington.com.au. Join the conversation across social media with #MelbCupCarnival and follow us on Instagram @flemingtonvrc and Twitter @flemingtonvrc and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/flemingtonracecourse

The history of Sydney's North Fort

Completed in 1938, North Fort is testimony to the ingenuity of the builders and the dedication of the gunners that served at North Fort from the outbreak of World War II continuously to the early 1960’s. Although not firing a shot in anger during World War II, the guns were a significant deterrent to any potential attacks on Sydney Harbour by a Naval force. The Fort consisted of two 9.2 inch coastal guns which could rotate 360 degrees and had a range of 27km. The guns were supported by two search light elements and three 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns.

On 31st May 1942, these searchlights played a vital role in defending Sydney Harbour from attack by 3 Japanese midget submarines. One week later, on the 8th June, Sydney Harbour and the surrounding areas of Bondi, Rose Bay, Woollahra and Bellevue Hill, were shelled by the Mother Submarines. Similar searchlights were used to defend Newcastle against attack at the same time.

Defence personnel in AA rangefinder training c.1942

In addition to the artillery and fortress engineer personnel, North Fort was manned by a company of the 7th Volunteer Defence Corps and C Company, 2nd Garrison Battalion, a total of over 250 servicemen and women.

The North Head Battery, together with the 9.2 inch batteries at Newcastle, Cape Banks (La Perouse), Wollongong, Rottnest Island (Freemantle), and East Cape ( Darwin), combined with a number of 6 inch batteries to form an integrated coastal fortress system. In a mood of anti-militarism following World War II, in 1962 all but the battery on Rottnest Island were dismantled and the armaments sold off as scrap metal.

Loading 9.2 in shells at North Head 1944 (AWM)

Once a highly restricted military base, North Fort was opened up again as the home of the Royal Australian Artillery National Museum in 1990 (part of the network of Army Museums under the control of the Army History Unit based in Canberra). From the outset it was supported with volunteers by the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society (now Company) and with technical assistance by the school of the Royal Australian Artillery which was relocated to North Head at the end of World War II where it stayed until the move to Puckapunyal in December 1997.

In early 2009, the name of the Museum was changed to "Australian Army Artillery Museum" in line with a revised naming policy for all Army museums by Army History Unit.

NOTE: The Australian Army Artillery Museum North Fort is now permanently closed

Avis raises over $15,000 for Charity at their Art of Discovery Auction

 Leading car rental provider Avis raised over $15,000 at a charity auction last night for charity partners R U OK? and Cure Kids. The event saw Avis auction off the artwork from its 'Art of Discovery' campaign, heroing creative work from 12 local artists who this year embarked on road trips in Avis rentals across the Tasman, to inspire their artwork.

 

The auctioned pieces included Jacob Spokes' take on Lightning Ridge in north-western New South Wales where he retraced his father's footsteps as a miner, and Rachel Hirabayashi's trip to Southland where she was inspired to capture the calmness of the landscape. Other art featured included work by Sally Willbanks and Belynda Henry, both Australia-based and New Zealand artists Angela Maritz and Kris Waldin. The highest selling piece on the night was Lake Pukaki with Aoraki/Mt Cook in the distance by New Zealand artist, Holly Zanbergen selling at $2,700.

 

To inspire and encourage travellers to plan their own road trip to view the scenic Australian and New Zealand landscape, the 'Art of Discovery' campaign allows customers to see the countries through the eyes of local contemporary artists.

 

Tom Mooney, Managing Director, Avis Australia said: "We are thrilled with the overall success of the night and the money raised for R U OK? and Cure Kids. We look forward to working with more artists through our 'Art of Discovery' campaign over the next year to show the true beauty of the Australian and New Zealand landscape, and inspire more road trips around the Pacific."

 

Brock Q Piper, one of the Australian artists involved in the campaign said: "It was such an honour to be a part of this very worthy campaign and work alongside Avis to create art that connects people with the Australian landscape. I'm personally so inspired by the work that R U OK? does to help so many in their personal struggles, so I am really pleased that the proceeds towards my work are going towards such a great cause."

 

The donation from Avis Australia demonstrates its commitment to its charity partnerships with R U OK? and Cure Kids will add to other contributions fundraised via a range of community charity initiatives.

 

To own one of the pieces of art, visit the online auction which closes on the 20^th October 2019 please follow this link: https://AODCharityAuction.famb.bid.

 

To watch Jacob Spokes on his 'Art of Discovery' journey, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDPpcCUQEgc.  To learn more about the 'Art of Discovery' campaign, please visit https://www.avis.com.au/en/discover-australia/art-of-discovery. 

 

People’s Cup celebrates 25 year anniversary on Tour in Euroa

The Lexus Melbourne Cup today visited Lindsay Park Racing in Euroa for a special community event celebrating the 25th anniversary of trainer David Hayes' 1994 Melbourne Cup win with imported galloper Jeune.

The visit to the picturesque stables in the Victoria High Country was part of the 17th annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and saw Hayes unite with Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Ambassador Wayne Harris, who rode the British thoroughbred to victory 25 years ago.

As part of the event, local school children and members of the Euroa community were treated to a special Q&A from the champion trainer and jockey, with both men sharing their memories of the race. Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Tegan Martin also joined the celebrations.

Hayes said it was wonderful to welcome the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup to Lindsay Park and reflect on his Melbourne Cup memories.

"Whenever [people] find out you're a horse trainer they always ask, have you ever won the Melbourne Cup and that's what it is, it's the iconic race of Australia."

Hayes also spoke about Lindsay Park's chances for this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup, highlighting the form of Constantinople and Rostropovich.

"Constantinople has really good Cross Counterish form from last year and we've got another horse that ran 5th in the Melbourne Cup last year called Rostropovich," Hayes said.

Euroa is also one of this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep destinations, which will see 24 rural and regional tour destinations across Australia be allocated a barrier for the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Barriers will be drawn at random as part of the Cup's visit and the town which draws the barrier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse will be presented with a cash prize of $50,000 to put towards a charity for a local community initiative.

Local member for Euroa Steph Ryan drew the barrier on behalf of the town and selected barrier 12, a starting gate which has not produce a winner since 1949.

Since its inaugural year in 2003, the Tour has travelled more than 600,000 kilometres and visited more than 450 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations, providing communities with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

For further information about the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour please visit melbournecuptour.com.au.

#lovethehorse #PeoplesCup #MelbourneCup

Click Frenzy is back, and they're ready to crown Australia's ultimate online shopper with $50K

Love a great online bargain? Never pay full price? Apply discount codes for fun? Then you could be Click Frenzy's next Ironshopper! The search for Australia's ultimate online shopper is back in 2019. Have you got what it takes to take home the title this year?

To celebrate Click Frenzy's annual flagship event on November 12th, the organisation is once again on the hunt to find Australia's best online shopper. The event grants Australia's most skilled shoppers the chance to compete in a series of challenges over the 29-hour sale period, with $50,000 prize money for the taking. Last year, 33 finalists battled it out, with the ultimate winner, Katie Skinner from Victoria, out-shopping her competitors.

Click Frenzy is now accepting entries from enthusiasts around the country. All you need to do is submit a video detailing, "Why you are Australia's best online shopper".

Managing Director of Click Frenzy, Grant Arnott says, "With such great success from last year's competition, we're bring you a new, improved Ironshopper! If you consider yourself a master online shopper, this is your calling. Twenty finalists are guaranteed a great time spending $1000 on bargains during Click Frenzy, and one of those will become $50,000 richer and, most importantly, become Australia's next Ironshopper! It could be you, or someone you know – what's stopping you?"

It's free to enter, so make sure you submit your videos by 29th October. Videos will be judged on shopping skill and creativity. From the pool of entries, 20 finalists will be selected for the ultimate e-commerce battle during the Click Frenzy 29-hour online shopping event, starting on Tuesday 12th November at 7pm (AEDT). Each finalist will have $1,000 to spend on their own mega haul and must maneuver a series of challenges throughout the extreme sale.

Last year's challenges rocked contestants as they included deciphering brand logo snippets, staying alert for 99% off deals that went live at random times and masterfully styling a room under time pressure and budget. The challenges this year are expected to be even harder, with tighter competition.

The ultimate winner will be selected based on their performance in these challenges as well as public voting and will take home a life-changing prize of $50,000 and the right to the title of Australia's 2019 Click Frenzy Ironshopper.

According to last year's winner, Katie Skinner, you don't need to have a degree in filmography to have a chance of becoming a finalist, "I filmed most of it on my laptop and my phone, I did a little bit of editing but it wasn't too stressful."

For those lucky enough to become finalists, Katie says there are several keys to success, "Make sure you're prepared - have plenty of food and drinks available and a fully charged phone or laptop. Check out the other Ironshopper finalists, scope out the competition and win that $50,000 - it can change your life, it changed mine."

Grant concludes, "Giving this competition a round two allows us to find another genius online shopper! Last year's success proved just how savvy Australian shoppers are."

So, to all the online shopping pros out there, get your video cameras charged and creative thinking caps on. It's going to take a lot to convince the judges you're an online shopping star, but the title of Ironshopper 2019 is waiting for you if you have what it takes.

How It Works

STEP 1

Get the creative juices flowing for ideas for your submission video telling us why you're an elite online shopper!

STEP 2

Film your video - they can be up to 1 minute long - we're looking for fun, creative and interesting submissions

STEP 3

Share the link with us (via Youtube, Facebook, Insta, Dropbox, Google Drive etc) via the super simple submission form found here.

NEXT

The top 20 video submissions as judged by Click Frenzy panel will receive $1000 to spend during the Click Frenzy 29-hour mega-sale, to battle it out for the $50k grand prize!

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For more information and full T&Cs, visit: www.clickfrenzy.com.au/ironshopper