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.

Media Release: Mission Australia selected as Pin and Win charity partner for 150th Melbourne Cup

Mission Australia has been selected by the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup Community Fund as its Pin & Win charity partner for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Funds raised through Mission Australia’s association with the event and the popular Pin & Win promotion will go to two of the charity’s Melbourne services, Charcoal Lane and Urban Renewal, to help disadvantaged young Victorians.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said being chosen as the event’s charity partner – particularly as it celebrates its 150th milestone – was a great honour.

“The Melbourne Cup is an Australian institution. Being selected as the event’s charity partner as it celebrates the 150th running of the iconic race is something we’re incredibly excited about,” said Mr Hall.

“The Melbourne Cup Community Fund has a proud history of supporting charities that seek to make long-term transformations in people’s lives and we’re grateful it has agreed to support our work.

“We hope all Melburnians will get behind Pin & Win and buy a lapel pin to help disadvantaged young Victorians during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”

Victoria Racing Club’s CEO, Dale Monteith, announced that Mission Australia was selected as the official 2010 Pin & Win charity for its incredible work in transforming the lives of young people in need.

“Through the Melbourne Cup Community Fund, the VRC is committed to addressing social issues that exist in our local communities. Our partnership with Mission Australia will ensure its dedicated and visionary work continues to make a tangible difference to the lives of young Victorians,” said Mr. Monteith.

Based in Fitzroy, Mission Australia’s Charcoal Lane combines a restaurant offering a first class dining experience with a transitional labour market program designed to assist disadvantaged young people – mainly from Aboriginal backgrounds – develop the professional and life skills needed for a successful career in hospitality.

Mission Australia’s Urban Renewal provides employment and training opportunities across a range of trades to long-term unemployed people in Melbourne's south east and northern suburbs.

Pin & Win lapel pins can be purchased from October 1 to November 6 via www.missionaustralia.com.au/melbournecup or by visiting TAB outlets in Victoria. Pins will also be available on-course at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Day (Sunday, 3 October) and all four days of the 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Entering Pin & Win not only supports Mission Australia’s services but puts the pin-buyer into the running to win over $145,000 worth of prizes to be drawn on Emirates Stakes Day, 6 November 2010.

First Prize – The Lexus IS 350F Sports valued at $85,000.


Second Prize – 1 million Skywards Miles, equivalent to 5 return Business Class fares with Emirates Airline from Melbourne to Europe, with a value of $52,450.


Third Prize – Hilton Sydney Deluxe Accommodation package, including airfares and accommodation in a Master Suite, valued at $7,500.


Fourth Prize – TCL package comprising: 55” & 32” full HD LED TVs, BLU-RAY player and a 115-litre bar fridge, valued at $4,626

Media contact: Emily Lehmann, Fenton Communications, (03) 9600 0006 or 0421 852 501