Poppies at Flemington, 110 years of the RSL and the Melbourne Cup Carnival

In the months leading up to the 1915 Melbourne Cup there were thousands of Australians enlisting to serve in what was still considered to be the great adventure, just as others were returning wounded from the harsh reality of the Gallipoli campaign.

The new recruits were temporarily housed in the grandstand at Flemington racecourse as they waited their turn to head overseas, the camp at Broadmeadows having been flooded out and turned into a quagmire. Other camps, such as that at Royal Park were still under construction.

As much as the recruits bound for Gallipoli had their eyes set on the adventure ahead, the returned soldiers minds were focused on protecting the rights of those who followed them, and making a new life for those returned often broken in body and mind.

The returned soldiers quickly formed the Returned Soldiers Association of Victoria (later RSL Victoria) in August 1915 and knew that to have an impact in improving the lot of the returned they would need money.

While there was some opposition to sport in the early days of the war, as it was seen by some as a wasteful distraction from the war effort, this did not generally extend to the returned soldier. In fact, amongst the first motions of the Returned Soldiers Association was for discounted or free admission for the returned soldier to race meetings, including the Melbourne Cup and to approach the winner of the race for a donation.

Both the Victorian Racing Club (VRC) and the winning owner were receptive to these demands. According to the Australasian newspaper of 15 November 1915 1,337 returned soldiers were given free admission to the Melbourne Cup carnival where they saw Patrobas take out the Melbourne Cup by half a length. Patrobas’s owner was Edith Widdis, the first female owner to win the Melbourne Cup, who became a generous donor to the war effort.

Similarly, all profits from the Melbourne Cup were donated to the war effort by the VRC. Over the course of the war the VRC would go on to donate more than 102,000 pounds, which is believed to be more worth than 13 million dollars in today’s money.

In 2025 this tradition continues with all current and former service members and provided free racecourse entry to TAB Champion Stakes Day. Patrons will be able to collect a complimentary ticket from VRC Membership staff at entry gates upon presentation of approved identification which includes:

• Veteran White Card
• Veteran Gold Card
• Defence Common Access Card (DCAC)
• Medals worn on the left
• The Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB)
• Veterans Card Victoria
• RSL Service Member Badge

RSL Victoria volunteers will be selling poppies on course and all money raised in the appeal assists with the diverse range of services the RSL provides to veterans and their families, from emergency financial assistance to advocacy and social inclusion community activities.

RSL Victoria is Australia’s oldest veterans’ charity, and its purpose has not changed since its fundraising efforts in 1915. The original constitution, which came into effect in 1916 said the mission of the league was to care for “the sick, needy and wounded who have served, and their dependents.”

For those who can’t make it to the track we are offering virtual poppies alongside our traditional range, available at the Poppy Appeal website. The digital poppy allows members of the public to name and dedicate a poppy in honour of someone who has served and share it with their social media network.

Your virtual poppy could be dedicated to your great grandfather who served at Gallipoli, your aunt who served in the Australian Women’s Army in the Second World war, a current serving member of the Australian Defence Force, or a peacekeeper in one of the dozens of missions where Australia has served. It is a meaningful way to honour the service of someone special while helping raise awareness about this important appeal.

“The digital poppy will allow members of the community to honour a friend, a family member or even a stranger whose story has meant something to them,” RSL Victoria President Mark Schröffel said. “It is a way of saying thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

Our traditional poppies and badges will also be sold by the thousands of dedicated volunteers at shopping centres and street corners across Victoria. They can also be purchased from RSL Sub-Branches or online through the Poppy Appeal website.

Donations to the Poppy Appeal can be made at www.poppyappeal.com.au, or through buying a Poppy at your local RSL Sub-Branch.

As long-standing retail partners of the Poppy Appeal, Poppies and badges can also be bought at all Woolworths and Officeworks stores nationally.