Perth Words… exploring possibilities.

My daughter Jessica McCallum was commissioned to design and make a one-off head piece for her friend Judith in Melbourne – which arrived just in time!

Judith (aka The Adventures of a Voucher Vixen) agreed to the use her photos showing how happy she was with her hat – and just how gorgeous she and the dashing Alister looked!

For all readers who aren’t Australian, yesterday was the day of the great race – the Melbourne Cup.

It’s a day when if they can’t get the day off work, many take a ‘sickie’.  Businesses organize lunches with Sweepstakes, Best Hat or Outfits and a bit of a ‘flutter’ at the TAB, champagne flows with nibbles and no work.  So I don’t understand why it isn’t a Public Holiday!

As is our usual habit, each year, my sister-in-law organised a table at a local Tavern for lunch and a bit of a flutter – the only time I ever gamble.  We enjoyed free champagne, live music, sweepstakes and a delicious lunch all wearing the appropriate head-wear, while judging everyone else’s.

Jessica’s 40’s style original.

My daughter wore one of her own designs and our friend Ann made her own version with mementos and gift ribbons.  The lady from the next table was so impressed she urged Ann to stand up and be judged for the ‘Best Hat’ competition.

Definitely the loudest table, No 32 behind us, kept booing winners and shouting their’s was the best hat etc started to upset the judge.  He sarcastically offered a prize for the best personality (if they’d just shut up and let him get on) but it didn’t deter them!

Ann’s ‘gift’ hat.

The BEST HAT winners were two ladies wearing their primary school daughter’s efforts; both wide sweeping paper brims with color splashed all over and a guy with a ridiculous crocheted bean-ey with plaits in his football team colours.  The competition obviously judged on the most novel…  AND they gave No 32 a bottle of booze anyway!

It was lovely to see so many ladies dressed up to the nines, gorgeous frocks and hats and even men in suits.  Though I have to say I was a little disappointed that some men came too casually dressed for their partners.

The race was exciting and my niece Ashleigh, newly arrived from Canada that morning, won 1st prize in the sweepstakes with the winner “Protectionist”.

Unfortunately, while checking out my photos later, I learned two horses died after the race.  The favorite led most of the way until he hit trouble toward the end of the race. finishing well behind the others.  He collapsed and died when taken back to his stall.  The other horse was spooked by an excited spectator and crashed into a barrier, breaking a leg and had to be euthanaised.  So sad.

Suddenly, the whole idea of horse racing took on dark and malevolent overtones.   Animal Rights people have now made me rethink the day…

#FrancesMacaulayForde  #ARTIST:JessicaMcCallum  #JessicaMcCallum  #2014MelbourneCup  #AdventuresOfAVoucherVixen  #Horseracing  #Fascinators  #RaceDayHats  #Fashion

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