A beautiful view from the Barwon Heads bridge during a morning run with Nick. 

At The Heads Restaurant, Barwon Heads, Victoria.

ocean grove cup carnival

The Ocean Grove Cup Carnival developed from a discussion between neighbours. Richard Grimmett and Wally (Dennis Walters), were discussing what they might do for a Christmas activity in their street in Ocean Grove one December day in 1994, when Wally mentioned that they used to get together for a 'scratch' race on the beach between a couple of horses. This activity was frowned upon by local authorities because the beach was out-of-bounds to the horses.

However, a group of friends would get together each year, dressing in outlandish outfits like the 'human white post finish line' and various ridiculous costumes, dinner suits or blends of both. They would gather in the local park - perhaps under a tarp - for a Collendina Cup breakfast - with champaign, merryment and horse-play - or even horse plays - some type of hillarious pantomine or puppet show or who knows what that entertained the group.

They later moved off - or were moved off - to 13 beach where horses were allowed.

Richard invited Wal to bring his ageing video footage to the loal Apex Club meeting, where the idea as proposed as community event. At that time there was an Ocean Grove Festival each year - a lot of fun, with street parade, Red Faces stage, fire Brigade etc etc - a great community annual - albeit a bit tired...

The new Cup Committee invited the Festival Committee to a meeting at the Apex shed - where the concept of a combined event was mooted.

The Apex Club had been developing the idea of a horse race - a 6 race programme, choosing a day in February when the tide was right to set up around midday - erect marquees (for sponors) set up bookie stands (Howard Culph - entrepreneurial bookmaker) was on board and keen to make the event happen....

It was decided that the Collendina Cup would be held as part of the festival. The Parade, activities etc was held one weekend, followed by a week of art shows, open days and school activities, culminating in the new horse race on the beach.

The club worked to attract entrants. There was no shortage of enthusiastic amateur riders. They came from all over the state.

The race was a hit. And the next year, the festival moved to the beach.... The Red Face stage was parked on the sand - and became - Red Faces Between Races! A natural shift had ocurred - Brette Lange - compere extraordinaire, and many other festival committee members joined with the Apex club members, along with the Fire Brigade, Scouts, Foreshore Committee, SES, Rotary, School groups and many others to create and annual event which became the -

Ocean Grove Cup Carnival - a day at the beach... a day at the races.


Thousands came to see the now 8 race sectacular - the sound of horses pounding down the hard sand at low tide was fantastic - the sound of waves, wind and crowd would give way to the power of these majestic steeds - yes they were big and strong, they were fast and sweaty at the end of 600 metres - sponsored by Schweppes, sponsored by Home Hardware, races such as The Piping Hot Chicken Shop Plate, Home Hardware Handicap - what a day, what a spetacular - there were centre page spreads in The Age, features in the Herald Sun etc etc.

The event ran from 1995 - 2001. There were Cup Eve Balls, early ones at Newington, the characteristic homestead at the place with the same name, complete with circlular drive and spiral staircase - Calcuttas and dancing, organisers up far too late, perhaps even drinking for too much, but still managing the early start required to set up the barriers, mark out the finish line and co-ordinate gatekeepers, officials, bookies, media, horse floats, entrants, and so on.

What a day - a day at the beach, a day at the races. A great team effort - great fun - an indication of what can be achieved when vision, enthusiasm, a reckless sort of confindence and 'can do' approach, and a few enthusiastic and encouraging people get together.

The Ocean Grove Cup Carnival may or may not happen again, but new things will always be created with the same spirit, enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate.