Tall Trees Ocean View at Banora Point is holding a fashion parade for residents to pull out their suits, frocks and fancy hats and strut around in the spirit of the Melbourne Cup.

The residents make their own Melbourne Cup Fascinators to wear on the day and those who made theirs last year and will be excited to wear them again.

Neighbourhood Lifestyle Coordinator Rachel Phillips says she is arranging the event to bring the Melbourne Cup close to home for Tall Trees Ocean View residents.

“The fashion parade will be held in the dining hall to re-create the spirit of the Melbourne Cup for residents,” Ms Phillips says.

“They are all very excited about this special event as they have an excuse to get all dressed up and will make a fun day out of it.

“Some of our residents say they remember going to the Flemington Racecourse for the Cup when they were just 18.”

Ms Phillips says the Melbourne Cup is not just about the races for many residents, but also their memories of the fashion and their experiences around that time of year.

“Our residents often speak about the 1940s fashions, and that they were ‘all the go’ for the Melbourne Cup events,” Ms Phillips says.

“We have some residents that just absolutely love horses and enjoy watching the Cup for that reason alone.

“In fact, one of our residents had always dreamed of becoming a jockey when they were young and watching the races but their parents would not let them!”

Ms Phillips says the event is still something that they’re passionate about, with the upcoming Melbourne Cup featuring quite heavily on their calendar.

“The residents enjoy watching the races on the big screen at Tall Trees Ocean View, alongside all their close friends here,” Ms Phillips says.

“They all live together in the supported living community and have become like family to one another, and events like these bring them even closer together.

“Last year’s Melbourne Cup event was fantastic, and I think this year’s will be even more fun with lots of striking outfits to liven up the day.”

Tall Trees Ocean View coordinate regular events and social outings, and encourage friends and families to get involved and stay with the residents in the days before and after the event.

One of Queensland’s oldest married couples is gearing up for the annual Melbourne Cup, having spent their life together as avid racing enthusiasts.

Jack Robinson, 93, and his wife and Olive, 91, have followed the horses and attended racing events over the course of their 72 year marriage.

They live together at supported living community for seniors Tall Trees at Tanah Merah, where the staff will be organising a Melbourne Cup event for the residents.

Jack says horseracing is still something that they’re passionate about, with the upcoming Melbourne Cup featuring quite heavily on their calendar.

“We’ve been to Flemington Racecourse a number of times during our marriage for the Melbourne Cup, and though we’re not going to be able to make it down this year, we’re looking forward to the day nonetheless,” he says.

“It’ll be great to be able to enjoy the races on the big screen at Tall Trees, alongside Olive and all our friends here.

“Last year’s Tall Trees Melbourne Cup event was fantastic, and I think this year’s will be even better.”

Jack and Olive married in 1939, with Jack coming from a family of horse enthusiasts, while Olive’s family were strictly opposed to gambling.

She’d never put down a bet in her life before meeting Jack.

“My family were non-gamblers,” Olive says.

“No way could we have anything to do with gambling, until I met Jack – we used to go the races twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“I used to live in Victoria, and when I moved up to NSW to marry Jack I became a little bit lucky.

“They used to call me ‘The Quinella Queen’.

“All of the men around us would ask Jack what my picks were for the day.”

Despite their age, Jack says they still get out to the track when possible, attending their most recent meet a month ago for a charity event at Eagle farm.

“Four of us from Tall Trees went down, and we had a marvellous day,” Jack says.

“I didn’t have a win, but Olive got her quinella up.

“We can’t make it down to the track as much these days, but she’s still got that amazing luck.”

Siobhan MacDonald, neighbourhood manager at Tall Trees Tanah Merah, says Jack and Olive are a unique couple.

“They’ve got to be some of Queensland’s oldest racing fans – that’s for sure,” Ms MacDonald says.

“Going to the races was quite a popular pastime in their day, but they’ve shown true dedication to the sport by still attending events when they can.

“While we think most of our residents here at Tall Trees are looking forward to the Melbourne Cup, I don’t think anyone is as much as Jack and Olive are.

“I think their enthusiasm for racing will make the day that little bit more exciting.”

After spending much of their lives following the horses, Jack says there’s one simple piece of advice that he’s stuck to, and suggests young punters do, too.

“Bet within your means – enjoy it, don’t try to be a millionaire,” Jack says.

“It doesn’t matter then, if you win you’ve had a lovely day, if you lose, you haven’t done any harm.”