The Andrews Labor Government is helping Mortlake Racing Club celebrate 149 years of racing in style this spring as part of an $81,000 joint funding package.
The Labor Government is providing $30,000 from its Victorian Racing Industry Fund Raceday Attraction Program towards the 2018 Mortlake Cup on Saturday 3 November.
Media personality Rob Gaylard will host the event, and patrons can participate in the ‘Fashions on the Field’ competition and receive free pampering and beauty treatments.
A key focus of the marquee will be to help raise awareness of the suicide prevention work of ‘Let’s Talk’ throughout south-west Victoria.
Mortlake Lions Club is managing the car parking and Year 12 students from Mortlake College are preparing meals and running the main bistro.
A kids’ Mega Fun Zone will offer games and activities including a bucking bull ride, a bungee run and face painting, and racegoers of all ages will be entertained with live music after the last race.
Free shuttle buses will transport patrons from Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Koroit, Terang, Cobden and Camperdown.
The Mortlake Racing Club is providing more than $42,000 with Country Racing Victoria contributing $9000 towards the event activities.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has provided almost $172,000 to support three infrastructure projects and four race day events at Mortlake Racecourse.
The racing industry in the Western District generates more than $100 million for the Victorian economy annually and helps to sustain more than 980 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The Mortlake Cup is a fantastic day out and we’re helping mark 149 years of racing there with great races and family-friendly entertainment.”
“We’re investing in country racing across Western Victoria because it is an important economic contributor and provides hundreds of local jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Mortlake Racing Club President James Hughes
“We’re grateful for the Victorian Government’s support for the 2018 Mortlake Cup.”
“The Mortlake Cup offers incredible value for money for racing patrons and we encourage everyone to come along and join us in celebrating 149 years of racing in the Western District.”