Residents of Gilgandra celebrated the arrival of the 'People's Cup' as the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour commenced its visit to rural New South Wales.
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Gilgandra was selected by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) as one of 33 destinations on the Tour's 118 day journey across Australia, New Zealand and for the first time, Malaysia.
In Gilgandra, over 500 local students from St Joseph's School, Gilgandra Public School and Gilgandra High School delighted in welcoming the Cup as it took part in special assemblies held at each school.
Whilst in Gilgandra the iconic trophy also visited the Gilgandra Community Plaza, Gilgandra Services Club, Cooee Lodge Retirement Village and Gilgandra Sporties Club where local residents enjoyed getting up close and personal with the Cup.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey John Marshall was the VRC's special guest on this leg of the tour.
Gilgandra Jockey Club president Andrew Schier said the entire community was honoured to be a part of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour and celebrate the treasured trophy.
"Gilgandra locals were so pleased that our town was selected to be a part of the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour.
"The Gilgandra community, including local families, school students and aged care residents, delighted in getting involved in the festivities, celebrating the Cup and gearing up for the race that stops a nation," Mr Schier said.
Residents in Gilgandra shared their experiences with the Cup on social media using #EmiratesMelbourneCup and #PeoplesCup. Images from the Tour so far can be viewed at: bit.ly/PeoplesCup2015.
The 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup will return to Melbourne on Monday 26 October, ahead of the running of the 155th Emirates Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
