2022 CUP.
I worked for a collegue as promised months ago, i went in to work with ipad to watch every race, bar myself and two blokes in their 30s, no one else could give a rats about the races (20 staff approx)
Customers too, many who didnt even know it was Melbourne Cup Day (go figure)
I spoke to a co-worker and he said Melbourne Cup was for "Drunk, white bogans" (how lovely).
But where i live, i actually think the majority feel this way now. Very sad.
A young girl i spoke to (18 maybe) said "Horse racing is barbaric and i cant believe we have a public holiday for a stupid horse race"
It was like a normal Tuesday where i was. Ididnt hear of any BBQs going on.
Rewind 20 years ago and there was Melbourne Cup BBQs on every street.
I have also worked in schools for the last 5 years and the words Melbourne Cup must not be said. Crazy.
I was teaching a year 6 class on cup day about 10 years ago
I was a fresh teacher and had been told to teach authentically and relevantly.
So for PE/maths, i had the kids run 3200m, with the fastest ones carrying more bean bags than the slower ones.
The new English kid won, carrying 10 bean bags (top weight was 12). Had a dozen DNF.
I got hauled into the principles office and disciplined quite sternly
'We cant condone gambling' i saw his point.
It was the era when Tom Waterhouse was running back to back ads during the cartoons.
In the 70s and 80s our year 6 teacher at primary school always ran a barely underground sweep. You bought 20 cents on cup day, and sought Mr.B out discreetly.
I drew Gurners Lane in 1982 and shouted all my mates potato cake after school.
Sure, ive grappled with gambling addiction at various times in my life, but ive grappled with booze too, and Mr.B never gave me a stubby