Melbourne came to Delhi this week with the Australian New Zealand Association (ANZA) Melbourne Cup Charity Brunch. This event happens every year, although this is the first one I have attended and helped to organise. I have organised a number of events at home, so I am not completely inexperienced, but organising events here throws up a whole new set of challenges and we got our fair share of curve balls (including holidays around Diwali) but I think we came out on top.
As you probably know, The Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday of November every year at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. I used to live in Melbourne and loved the spring carnival so was more than happy to partake in a little celebration here. Only problem being the 5.5 hours time difference which meant the big race was all done and dusted by 9.30am Delhi time (and we nearly missed it). The early race meant an early start, the team had to be up and going at about 5.30am, yes still dark and quite chilly (yes it does get cold here). We had a great group together running gift bags from here to there, setting up tables, checking the layout, chilling the sparkling and setting up the banners of all our generous sponsors.
The event commenced on the Australian High Commission lawn at 8.30am and it looked pretty stunning. Yellow and pink were the colours of the day and they were hard to miss!
Of course there was also the reason we were all there, the 'race that stops a nation' - I pulled the horse in the sweep that came last, but on the bright side I got my money back with that little beauty!
As you probably know, The Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday of November every year at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. I used to live in Melbourne and loved the spring carnival so was more than happy to partake in a little celebration here. Only problem being the 5.5 hours time difference which meant the big race was all done and dusted by 9.30am Delhi time (and we nearly missed it). The early race meant an early start, the team had to be up and going at about 5.30am, yes still dark and quite chilly (yes it does get cold here). We had a great group together running gift bags from here to there, setting up tables, checking the layout, chilling the sparkling and setting up the banners of all our generous sponsors.
The event commenced on the Australian High Commission lawn at 8.30am and it looked pretty stunning. Yellow and pink were the colours of the day and they were hard to miss!
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| The tent! |
The Hyatt Regency did some excellent catering and a small team of us proud Aussies organised the rest with the main point of the day being to raise some money for Delhi charities.
To raise money there was a raffle, tombola and a silent art auction with some great pieces to buy.
The prizes were pretty amazing - people won flights, hotel accommy, jewellery, art, champagne - heaps of wonderful stuff. I won nothing!
It was a great day, everyone looked beautiful - hats, fascinators, smart suits and cute summer dresses. There was the not so serious 'Fashion on the Field' that showed off the lovely fillies and stallions. Four categories were represented - best dressed lady, best dressed man, best hat and best couple - all escorted by the very fine expat Cricket Club.
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| The 'Viceroys' expat Cricket Club |
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| Best hat winner |
Of course there was also the reason we were all there, the 'race that stops a nation' - I pulled the horse in the sweep that came last, but on the bright side I got my money back with that little beauty!
So all in all a super fun day and an after party at Olive Beach Chanakyapuri to match.... I almost felt like I was at the racetrack by the end of the day - too much champagne, sore feet and a very droopy fascinator!
Here are some more pictures of the day.
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| Chefs ready for action |
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| The happy crowd |
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