Pin & Win a Melbourne Cup Carnival hit!

Pin & Win, the official charity program of the Melbourne Cup Carnival through the Melbourne Cup Community Fund, was a big winner this year, raising much-needed funds for Mission Australia youth services.

Two of our Victorian services – Charcoal Lane and Urban Renewal – will benefit from the generosity of race-goers and TAB patrons as well as the efforts of more than 400 volunteers who sold Melbourne Cup pins at Flemington Racecourse during the carnival.

The fabulous volunteers, including university students, corporate representatives, Mission Australia staff and their family and friends, were out in force at Flemington over the course of four busy days – the AAMI Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 30 October, Emirates Melbourne Cup Day last Tuesday, Crown Oaks Day on the Thursday and Emirates Stakes Day on Saturday.

Volunteer pin sellers were subject to the full spectrum of Melbourne weather plus the bustling Flemington crowds, while other volunteers gave their time to help out with money-counting duties back at base.

Among our valued volunteers were Simon O’Sullivan and Megan Harwood (pictured), who generously gave their time to help Mission Australia on all four race days of the carnival.

Simon, who was joined at the track by his wife and fellow volunteer Kerri on both Saturdays, juggled a busy workload to help raise funds for Mission Australia. By the afternoon of Stakes Day, when he’d hung up his Pin & Win apron, Simon said he was tired but happy to have helped a good cause.

RMIT student Megan agreed: “It was a great experience.”

That afternoon, Mission Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Leisa Hart, announced the lucky Pin & Win first-prize and place-getters – all hailing from Victoria. Ms E Padfield of Lynbrook won the Lexus IS 350 F; Ms M Higgins of Sandringham won the million Emirates Skywards Miles; the Sydney Hilton holiday package went to Mr M Vulic of Elwood, while Mr R Wellington of Epping won the TCL home entertainment package.

Pin & Win has been operating as the official charity element of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for more than 20 years. The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) through the Melbourne Cup Community Fund provide financial and promotional support to charities that are aligned with the VRC’s values. Pin & Win has since become one of the most highly recognised charitable activities in Victoria.

Mission Australia is grateful for being chosen as a beneficiary of the Victorian Racing Clubs Melbourne Cup Community Fund.

Mission Australia also appreciates Lexus, Emirates, Hilton and TCL for their support and our generous volunteers and everyone who purchased a commemorative pin during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.