Women of the Kinglake Ranges and surrounding districts enjoy a rare ‘day off’ on November 9, 2017, at the Kinglake Pub for Oaks Day.
Local weather turned warmer just in time for Oaks Day, Kinglake Ranges style, as women of the district enjoyed Ladies’ Day in their finest outfits.
Over 100 local women joined the day, while tourists felt out of place in jeans and T-shirts when stopping for lunch at the Kinglake Pub.
“I think I’ll have to go across the road [Kinglake Opportunity Shop] and get an outfit,” Cheryl, a Melbourne tourist said.
“I feel so out of place, this just doesn’t feel right, I need an outfit,” Cheryl said.
Beck Webber won Best Outfit with Karen McDonald winning Best Shoes and Koong Lee winning Best Hat/Fascinator.
Sara Exton, Jenn Martin and Helen Simons were kept busy running the day whilst Ian “DJ Misty Mountain” Haysom entertained guests.
Murrindindi Shire councillor for Kinglake ward, Leigh Dunscombe (also a former Kinglake publican before he became a councillor) was the ‘SP bookie’ and ran the race sweeps, raising $1500 for the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre. All money raised went to charity.
“It’s a great day for the whole community. The women get a chance to get out and get their [finest] gear on.
“It’s a chance for them [women] to feel special for a day. Everybody likes to feel special for a day and everyone enjoys the day.”
“It’s the persistence of local women [who] have made the day very successful. It’s a great day and everyone should get involved. Women who’ve never even worn a dress before come up.”
“They get their dresses on, fascinators, turn up and have an absolute ball. It’s good for everyone,” Cr Dunscombe said.
Another Kinglake tradition started in ‘the old bar’ of bras attached to ceiling fans also returned. We didn’t ask how they got there.
The organising committee thanks 2017 Oaks Day sponsors: Karma Kinglake, Laurie Pope, Get Fleeced, Teasarama Hair and Beauty, Garden Path Gallery, Kinglake Community Pharmacy, Partylite, Ultimate Balloons, Younique, Sedona Estate, Hargreaves Hill, Shaws Road Winery, Ian Haysom ‘DJ Misty Mountain’, Cr Leigh Dunscombe, Geelan Media and the Kinglake Pub.
First published in Kingake Ranges News, November 11, 2017.
