News

Forget Flemington, a race day at Kensington is the winner

By Bree Harding

Nov 4, 2025

‘Best dressed lady’ Robyn Masterson stands with her prize before a Cup Day backdrop painted by fellow Kensington Gardens resident and renowned local artist Ross Paterson. Photo by Megan Fisher

The extravagant annual Melbourne Cup Day event at Kensington Gardens has grown bigger and better over its 16-year-history, says social committee member Jenny McNamara.

This year’s event attracted 130 punters to the central function space at the lifestyle retirement village, where they enjoyed a chicken and champagne luncheon, sweeps all day long and fashions on the field parades.

Bev Schumacher, Rosemary Drewitt, Loretta Hanlon and Helen Sleep.Kensington Gardens Chicken and champagne Cup Day lunch Photo by Megan Fisher

‘Best dressed lady’ Robyn Masterson, who has lived at Kensington Gardens for just six weeks and was attending the event for the first time, was highly impressed.

Sue Walsh, Ian and Cheryl McDougal.Kensington Gardens Chicken and champagne Cup Day lunch Photo by Megan Fisher

“This is the most amazing function I’ve come to,” she said.

“Just to see so many people here, men and women, it’s a great place to be.”

Lorraine Gledhill, Sophie Tsorbarys, Gail McPherson, Nick Tsorbarys, Robbie McPherson and Don Gledhill.Kensington Gardens Chicken and champagne Cup Day lunch Photo by Megan Fisher

Social committee chairperson Colin Morris said it took a couple of days to put the room together, which was adorned with balloon arches, flower arrangements, Cup-day props, horseshoe sculptures, hanging silhouette cutouts and artworks, including a photo backdrop, painted by Kensington Gardens resident and renowned local artist Ross Paterson.

A catwalk divided the tables on either side of the room, while several big screens showed the day’s racing action.

Kensington Gardens Chicken and champagne Cup Day lunch Photo by Megan Fisher

A resident of a couple of months, Don McKenzie, dove head first into his first Cup Day event at the Gardens by performing MC duties on the day.

Neil Fraser yelling out to his horse that got third in the 4th race of the day.Kensington Gardens Chicken and champagne Cup Day lunch Photo by Megan Fisher

In addition to best dressed lady, prizes were also awarded to best dressed man (Ron Stelfox), best dressed couple (Geoff and Judy Holland) and best fascinator (Dell Brown).