Giddy up for Melbourne Cup

The race that stops the nation was the perfect opportunity for our clients to feel fancy for the day whilst participating in a range of exciting activities. Our Queensland Club Afford clients attended their first-ever Melbourne Cup race, with their fascinators and bets on. While in Melbourne, Pakenham Supported Accommodation brought the action to their home with a fun day in.

Afford’s supports and services encourage you to get involved in community events and discover more about the world around you. 

It was a day of reflecting on old memories and making new ones for Jan from the Beenleigh Community Centre when she attended a Melbourne Cup lunch with the support of her Lifestyle Assistant, Charity Kim. 

“Jan had fond memories of attending the races with her grandfather when she was six years old. She is now in her 60’s and told me she would like support to go to the races this year, so of course, I had to make it happen,” said Charity. 

Charity got permission from the Team Leader and booked herself and Jan in for a special Melbourne Cup lunch at Harrigan’s Calypso Bay. In preparation, they shopped for the perfect outfit and fascinator so Jan could have the complete Melbourne Cup experience. 

“It was a special day for Jan and something she had wanted to do for a long time but had not had the support to make it happen. She enjoyed a glass of wine on the day and walked away with an extra $50 thanks to her winning bet,” continued Charity. 

Following the day’s success, Charity suggested that Beenleigh Club Afford swap a visit to the park for the Eagle Farm Racecourse and with parental permission, they were off! 

“The clients were just so happy on the day. Before the races began, everyone was taking selfies and getting excited. Then when the first race started, they were jumping up and down,” said Charity. 

Attending the races was a great way for the clients to work on community access, money handling, socialising and travel training. Being immersed in these events also gives our clients satisfaction that they are a part of and welcome in the wider community. 

In Melbourne, Pakenham was all-in for fun. They celebrated their public holiday with a fashion show and charcuterie board to bring the glamour of the races to their home. 

“It was ‘fashions on the field’ here at Pakenham. We made a dip and fruit platter for afternoon tea, donned our hats and enjoyed watching the race that stops the nation,” said Lifestyle Assistant Jennifer North. 

Get ready and start exploring your local community, find out more about Afford’s Community Centres, Club Afford and supported accommodation supports and services.