The 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup visited Bendigo last week to celebrate its origins, made using gold from the Fosterville Gold Mine, located just 20kms outside of the City, crafted by the skilled workers of ABC Bullion.
2020 marks the first-time gold from the Bendigo region in Victoria has been used to make the prestigious trophy. The 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup also visited Fortuna Villa and Fosterville Gold Mine on 27 October 2020, showcasing the past and present of the Bendigo region’s gold mining history.
Victoria was built on the back of the 1850s gold rush, with the central Victorian goldfields playing a significant part in the State’s development.
Bringing migrants from all over the world, the gold rush was a key influencer in building ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, with the wealth and demand for entertainment created by the Victorian gold rush resulting in the first Melbourne Cup being run in 1861.
Some of the era’s historical buildings still stand today. Fortuna Villa, the former home of Bendigo’s ‘Quartz King’ George Lansell, is one of these historical buildings built on the wealth of the world’s richest quartz reef in the nineteenth century and was host to a special event with Victoria Racing Club Keeper of the Cup Joe McGrath.
Fosterville Gold Mine, on the back of the modern gold rush, is now recreating this excitement for Victorian gold, attracting new exploration and investment to central Victoria and reinvigorating ‘gold fever’.
Bringing history, gold and the Melbourne Cup together is only fitting to reflect on what has been a defining and challenging year for the whole of Victoria.
Kirkland Lake Gold CEO Tony Makuch said the Company was honoured to have Fosterville Gold Mine produce the gold for the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
“This year’s Cup is particularly significant as we recognise the importance of ensuring the legacy continues in the face of disruption and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Following the media event, the Cup travelled to the Fosterville Gold Mine where community members and employees could have their photo taken with the iconic trophy. There was also an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Cup via the virtual event hosted by the Victorian Racing Club, including Melbourne Cup Ambassador John Letts.
This enabled all Fosterville employees and community members near and far to be a part of the Melbourne Cup Tour.
Fosterville will celebrate the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Tuesday 3 November 2020 with a lunch for employees and a charity sweep. Employees have been asked to nominate two local charities, with those receiving the most nominations getting placed in the sweep. The charities whose horses finish first, second and third will all receive a donation on behalf of the Fosterville Gold Mine.
The Cup’s visit to Fortuna Villa and the Fosterville Gold Mine provided the community a chance to celebrate a race that brings a nation together in a year like no other; the year of the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup. In a year filled with many challenges, the Cup represents a moment to pause and reflect on what has been achieved and celebrate this iconic race.