Flemington remembers
That evening, celebrations took over the main streets of Melbourne. People from the suburbs poured into the city, waving flags, climbing trees and street signs, bringing traffic to a halt: cheers and songs, shouting and bands, tin whistles and kerosene tins as improvised drums, tears of joy, private moments of grief. It was meant to be the end of the war to end all wars. This was a Melbourne Cup week and aftermath not to be forgotten. And, symbolically, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has stopped the clocks ever since, in parts around the globe, for a minute’s silence, for Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day 2023 at Flemington The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is joining forces with the Victorian Branch of the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL Victoria) this Remembrance Day on Saturday 11 November, which coincides with the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, TAB Champions Stakes Day. The race day will raise funds for the Annual Poppy Appeal, a fund that has supported Australian veterans and their families by delivering life- changing support for more than 100 years. Racegoers will have the opportunity to contribute to the Poppy Appeal by purchasing a red poppy lapel pin with prices ranging from $2 to $50 from on-course RSL Victoria volunteers, with the poppy set to replace the iconic red rose as the official flower for the race day. In recognition of their service, free General Admission entry will also be offered for all past and current service men and women with approved ID. The gates at Flemington Racecourse will open at 10:40am, with a Remembrance Day Commemorative Service held in the Mounting Yard at 10:53am. The service will feature a bugler sounding the Last Post, a minute of silence at 11am and a recitation of the Ode of Remembrance by State President of RSL Victoria Dr Rob Webster OAM.
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