Melbourne Cup Day

Melbourne Cup - the race that stops a nation... or at the very least, it stops the state, but we won't spoil their thunder. We began the day with some quiet drinks in the picturesque gardens of Corpus Christi College accompanied by some lovely big band music provided by Rev. Forbes and his talented CD player.

With the exception of those dressed as horse trainers (not sure about gumboots in the members area) we enjoyed quite a display from smart casual to the very sharpest of modern race fashion (well, as best as seminarians could manage) including, but not limited to, 3 matching purple ties which, when coupled with a particularly flash pink tie (apparently it went well with the bridesmaids' dresses) constructed a rather ad-hoc advent wreath. The first books were open as we anticipated the arrival of our very own in house equine expert (Fr. Des) as to which of his jackets had been selected for this special day.

Moving inside for some relevant entertainment, kindly lent from the home of our very own bookie, was a nintendo wii system set to play virtual sports... or rather, virtually play sports. After a few practice throws, it turns out Fr. Ireland is quite the virtual bowler. Fr. Girolami's tennis, however, might do with some more practice. Meanwhile our chef set out quite the smorgasbord of culinary delights.

The final books were opened as we bid for horses in the big race. In what can only be described as the most organised moment of history, Nick worked the whiteboard marker harder than it has ever been worked before - note the confidence in his eyes. Tension built as the big race approached, when we all proudly joined in singing the Australian National Anthem in a manner never seen before, it was brilliant, it was moving, it was a never to be repeated moment - who cares if we were three lines behind the T.V., and besides, our key sounded better.

With cries of excitement ('what did you do to the volume?!') the race began, shortly followed by the end of that same race, a close finish between the first and second horses, the next one over the line coming third. And with that it was swiftly over and back to our studies. What an afternoon of class, sophistication and all out fantasticness. Ace race!

- DLW