"Melbourne Cup venue. Formula 1 GP... " a Melbourne Travel Page by australia2

MELBOURNE CUP. a great race !
Tues Nov 6th. '07.
THE MELBOURNE CUP, WORLD FAMOUS HORSE RACE over 3,200 metres. Despite a disasterous outbreak of Equine 'Flu interstate. Great lengths were gone to to keep Victoria isolated otherwise the Cup Meeting would have had to be abandoned.
All the work was successful. The Flemington track had been completely rebuilt and added to the perfect running.
The finish went 'down to the wire' and the winner came from well back to win by half a head margin. A super finish.
The '07 Emirates Melbourne Cup tolal stake money was A$51 million. Due to three late scratchings there were 21 runners.
First place went to Efficient, second place Purple Moon and third place to Mahler.

MAIN TEXT.
Melbourne was originally settled - from Tasmania - in 1835. Two personalities, both from there, featured in independant moves within months of each other. One was John Batman and the other John Pascoe Fawkner. The name of the area had been "The Port Phillip District" and, as with the rest of the east coast of the Australian continent was known as part of the colony of "New South Wales". Victoria became a seperate state in 1851, also the year of large gold discoveries there.
A long forgotten historic rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne led to, in 1908, the site of the Australian Capital, Canberra, being agreed to halfway betwen them. Sydney's location was where, in 1788, Australia's National European history began
Nowadays they are so different that each one can claim to be Australia's Best City in its own uniqueness. Where I was born and have since lived probably is the reason why I agree with the experts that Melbourne is up at the top of the most liveable cities in the world. Being a major part of "The Lucky Country" is a head start in this race; but I consider that it has a young maturity and sophistication, if this is possible, and also a lively enthusiasm, yet a caring social outlook. "Have a good day" is said very meaningfully. A recent survey shows that Melbourne people posses a very high level of personal happiness. I can feel it when I return 'home' from travelling. Lord Melbourne, Prime Minister of Britain under Queen Victoria, circa 1800, would be proud that he had this City named after him.
Statistically, Melbourne is the southernmost city in the world to have a population over 1 million. Currently, 2006, estimated population is 3.7 million.
A letter in our Melbourne daily goes like this..."I have lived in England since the 70's but returned for the past three Melbourne Cup carnivals. The one thing I noticed is that contact with shop assistants and other people has been a pleasure. I have been treated so well it restores my faith in humanity. In England, checkout are too often manned by rude, sullen pepople. There is never a please or a thank you." Name and address supplied. (An unsolicited testimonal!.) That reception is what I feel myself every time I come back to Melbourne from anywhere. It is very pleasant.

Switching to the sports pages, for now only two of the many Melbourne sporting highlights. Firstly the fact that the unique style of football which goes under the name of Australian (Rules) Football was born here in Melbourne and has developed into a " public's religion". I will find a spot for more on that.

The other is the running of one of the world's turf classic horseraces, the A$5 million Melbourne Cup over 3,600 metres. One for tyhe 'stayers'! It is now a truly International event. It is part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Races are held at Caulfield, Moonee Valley and finally the week-long Melbourne Cup Carnival is held at 'Headquarters' - the lovely, exciting Flemington racecourse. It is world renowned. For '06 results see < http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-298611-1-1-Miscellaneous-0-0-World-discussion.html >
Cheating, I know - for now !

Now for a modern - trad jazz - musical welcome, edit, copy, then paste into your browser, < http:\\home.iprimus.com.au/rossjazz/ > then click on Recordings and play mp3 as suggested..

Set in lovely parklands, on the southern edge of the City, the Shrine of Rembrance is the site for the public's inner reflection on the heroic ultimate sacrifice by many thousands of Australian service personnel.
On approriate occasions particularly Armistance Day, November 11th each year, great crowds of people gather and pause in gratitude.

Perhaps one of the best grouping of civic and cultural features beside any world city is available within walking distance of Melbourne's City Centre.

**Please visit the excellent Melbourne pages of VT member 'Sweetberry1'**