MAGIC MILLIONS WOMEN IN RACING LUNCH
Held in Horizons Restaurant at the Sheraton Mirage on Monday
4th January, this lunch kicked off a fabulous week. The theme
was ‘A Touch of Gold’ and most women adhered to
the dress code, either wearing gold accessories or gold from
head to toe. Best dressed lady, Kady Brandon, was a vision
wearing a platter hat trimmed with golden birds made by Meredith
McMaster teamed with a gold slimline dress from Cue. The always
dapper Tony Loveless was chosen best dressed gentleman. Guest
speaker, trainer Maryann Thexton informed and entertained
us, whilst fashions from Elegans Boutique at Broadbeach and
hats from The Hat Box were paraded during lunch. Well done
Baslyn Beel and Jennifer Bartels, you’ve pulled off
another fantastic occasion.
Golden glamour – Margaret Brown at the WIR Lunch
Phyllis Tegg, Amanda Matovic and Ros Tilse at the Mirage
Natalie Letford and Di Holt
Vicki Chatfield and Jessie Peace
Models wearing fashion from Elegans and The Hat Box
Golden girls Meredith McMaster, Dale, Patricia Balmer and
Ann Boyle
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Anna Mott, editor Racing Fashion
Fleur Cowlishaw, Jane Boyle and Alexandra Harper
Dale with Fleur Cowlishaw at the Sheraton Mirage
Alanna and Tony Loveless
Gorgeous in gold – Best Dressed Kady Brandon
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HATS & HIGH TEA GC MARRIOTT
As, unfortunately, I had to return to work the next day,
I didn’t make it back down to the Gold Coast until Thursday
for the newly revamped Hats and High Tea at the Marriott Hotel
and Resort. For the first time this Magic Millions function
was relocated from the Lobby Lounge in the foyer to the second
floor Garden Terrace to accommodate the ever growing number
of guests. Whilst I agree with all of the ladies who attended
that it was terrific to have more space and to dine at a table,
I kind of missed the tropical ambience of the Lobby. However,
the cuisine and impeccable service more than compensated.
Gold Coast women tend to keep their most fashionable outfit
and hat for this function, and once again, they did not disappoint.
Everyone looked fabulous and I think it such a shame that
Paspaley is no longer sponsoring the Best Dressed of the Carnival,
and choosing a finalist at each function, as it is such an
incentive for women to continue to dress stylishly and to
reward them for their efforts. And let’s face it, it’s
also good for the fashion industry too.
Meredith McMaster, Alexandra Harper,Ann Boyle, Patricia Balmer
& Sandra Robson
Judy Brine, Valerie Curry & Margaret Brown
Julie Phillips & Lorraine Dickinson
Meredith McMaster with Di Holt wearing Meredith’s creation
Anna Mott at work, photographing the Fashions
Dale & Vicki Chatfield
Effie Cliff & Julie Billeau
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Glenda Newick, striking in black and white
The ageless Roma Blair
Sydney’s Sharon Lenton at the Marriott
Sarah Armstrong & Jessie Peace
Dale enjoying a dessert or three
Pretty in pink – Kady Brandon
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MAGIC MILLIONS DAY
Saturday 9th January dawned a beautiful, sunny day after
a week of overcast skies and showers – just perfect
for Magic Millions Day.
My first stop was the Fashions on the Field area near the
fountain where I met Anna Mott, also photographing the fashionables.
As I had several clients entering, I was interested to see
who would make the cut. Kellie Alderman, Fashion Editor of
The Sunday Mail and Kimberley Gardner, stylist with David
Jones, were the sole judges and chose 5 finalists, two of
whom, Kady Brandon and Natalie Letford were clients of The
Hat Box. Their hats were made by Meredith McMaster and Kathy
Neumann to match their outfits especially for the day.
Disappointingly, the finals were held at the rear of the
Paspaley Marquee which was unavailable to the general public.
This meant friends and family of the finalists as well as
interested bystanders were unable to witness the final judging.
I much preferred the method used in previous years whereby
a catwalk was placed on the lawn in front of the main grandstand
and the entire crowd was able to watch the fashion finals.
Also, surprisingly, another 5 finalists, both male and female
were selected by spotters in various marquees and asked to
participate in the final. This was an innovation which perplexed
all concerned – and was not a popular one, according
to the many people I spoke with who felt that if you wish
to participate in Fashions on the Field you should line up
in the heats with everyone else. As this was David Jones’
first year as fashion sponsor they may need to rethink their
organisational strategies next year. As the old adage goes,
‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!’
The eventual winners were Kelly Power in a silver grey trench
dress with black accessories, an ensemble which looked more
Melbourne than the Gold Coast, in my opinion, and Cliff Dean,
in a grey suit teamed with an apricot shirt and straw hat
made by Sandra Robson.
On the social side, I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Paspaley
marquee with Sharon Lenton and Anna Mott, people watching
with a glass of Pol Roger and a plate of oysters natural.
Heaven! However, I didn’t back a winner all day unlike
my daughter Fleur who took advantage of Stephen Mott’s
tips and went home with more money than she left with. I love
the Magic Millions and have been attending since 1989. Let’s
hope we never lose it to another State.
Fashion Finalist Karen Williams in an Ann Boyle fascinator
Female Fashion Finalists
Male fashion Finalists
Gai Waterhouse with Cliff Dean male winner
Fashion Finalists Kady and Ben Brandon
Anna Mott and Dale in the Paspaley Marquee
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Fashions on the Field Entrants Fleur Cowlishaw, Ashleigh Robson
and Nicole Melit 
Amanda Matovic arriving at the MM
Cathryn Meredith in the Members Bar
Sian Bloor of Toowoomba
Fashion Finalist Natalie Letford
Natalie Letford and Kady Brandon
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On
the same day as Magic Millions Day, Glen Innes held its own
big race day. The photo of Lauren Reibelt was sent to me by
the Glen Innes Examiner after she and her partner Clayton
Smith won Best-Dressed Couple in the Fashions on the Field.
Lauren wore an Alex Perry dress with a hat by Kathy Neumann
from The Hat Box. She looks lovely, don’t you think?