Melbourne Cup Petition

[Dont be a lemon]

Horse racing blows.

Shame the media (in Victoria anyway) decide it should dominate 'sport' between the Grand Final and the 1st Test match...

 

[Bluelegs]

As someone who works casual hours I love working cup day, restaurant is dead and you get paid double for half the effort.

 

[The King!]

Its something different in the work day, have a sweep, pretend you know one thing about horses etc, id rather have my birthday off

 

[bunsen burner]

Dumbest idea ever.

Melbourne Cup is a cultural day. I, like many, don't give a toss about horse racing. But the cultural significance of the office sweep and crowding around a TV with all your work colleagues is one of significance. The race stops a nation and brings us together. It shows new Australians what we're about.

It is NOT just a horse race.

Make it a public holiday and so many people wouldn't even bother watching the race. It would be like the Bathurst 1000 - the pinnacle for motor sport loving bogans but completely non interesting to any one else.

The Melbourne Cup is part of the Australian culture. This is who we are. Don't wreck it.

 

[rideclutch]

Other states don't get Cup day off??

/blissfully ignorant Melburnian.

 

[Password is Taco]

Melbourne Cup Day is state-wide. Because of Cup Day, NSW has one less public holiday than Victoria. NSW Labour Day is in October rather than May, but every other holiday is shared.

Regional holidays (like Show days, etc.) are different.

Regional Vic don't get the public holiday - not a state wide thing

 

[Gough]

Dumbest idea ever.

Melbourne Cup is a cultural day. I, like many, don't give a toss about horse racing. But the cultural significance of the office sweep and crowding around a TV with all your work colleagues is one of significance. The race stops a nation and brings us together. It shows new Australians what we're about.

It is NOT just a horse race.

Make it a public holiday and so many people wouldn't even bother watching the race. It would be like the Bathurst 1000 - the pinnacle for motor sport loving bogans but completely non interesting to any one else.

The Melbourne Cup is part of the Australian culture. This is who we are. Don't wreck it.

We are a people with a penchant for corruption, animal cruelty and poorly fitting suits?

 

[Bingle_21]

Regional Vic don't get the public holiday - not a state wide thing

I am probably wrong but I think the local councils decide if they take Melbourne Cup day off or designate another day as a local holiday (eg Local Show day, or Local Cup day).

 

[Password is Taco]

I am probably wrong but I think the local councils decide if they take Melbourne Cup day off or designate another day as a local holiday (eg Local Show day, or Local Cup day).

Our workplace (in fact all my work places have done so) told us we got to choose between cup/show. It isn't a blanket public holiday, because I have never had it as a PH.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

It’s a public holiday throughout Victoria unless the local regional municipality declares another day of local importance as the holiday, which takes its place.

For example I believe Geelong Cup day is actually a public holiday in Geelong, and Melbourne Cup day is not. Not sure how strictly this would be observed by businesses etc, but I think they have to pay the appropriate penalty rates on those days etc. Ask anybody in payroll at a national retailer, they have an absolute minefield of regional and local public holidays they have to take into account for individual stores in certain areas.

 

[bunsen burner]

We are a people with a penchant for corruption, animal cruelty and poorly fitting suits?

Nope, we are people who come together and watch a horse race that if we had a day off a fair bit of the tradition would be lost.

 

[edgie]

All local and government business's here take the day off or half day, all franchises and pubs/clubs have to work.

Either the same rules for everyone or get back to work lazy council.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Nope, we are people who come together and watch a horse race that if we had a day off a fair bit of the tradition would be lost.

Not sure this logic stands up. It's always been a holiday in Vic. It's obviously as big here (prob bigger) as it is in other states.

 

[Caesar]

May have something to do with it actually being in Victoria.

 

[bunsen burner]

Not sure this logic stands up. It's always been a holiday in Vic. It's obviously as big here (prob bigger) as it is in other states.

Studies say it takes 14 years for immigrants to assimilate. I know lots of people (esp non anglo) who don't give a toss about horse racing and left to their own devices would probably go to the movies thinking "wtf, it's just a horse race"

It's not just a horse race. It's a cultural day built into the fabric of our society. I'm quite happy to indoctrinate these people into what it is to be Australian. Happy to ram that work sweep down their throats.

Happy for Victoria to have a public holiday but not the rest. This race would never have stopped the nation if it were held on a Saturday for all these years.

 

[TheOz]

Would prefer Remembrance Day merely a week later be given the status of a national holiday rather than some moronic horse race. What deserves a public holiday more, remembering the sacrifices of those that have fallen in wars past or short people on horses spectated by bogans in stupid hats and ugly suits projectile vomiting for half the afternoon?

 

[Caesar]

Nah, if we made Remembrance Day a PH then it would turn into a circus like ANZAC Day.

I quite like it being all understated - just the minute's contemplation in the middle of an otherwise ordinary day. More powerful that way IMO.

 

[The King!]

Its a public holiday here monday for recreation day