Hats and fascinators the theme at Evening VIEW's November dinner meeting

The 2026 Melbourne Cup may have been run and won but that didn’t stop the fun at Gunnedah Evening VIEW Club’s November dinner meeting at The Gunnedah Hotel.

Margaret Stevens. RIGHT: Kerry Towns looked striking in her red fascinator.

With ‘hats and fascinators’ as the theme, members were outfitted in style, ready for the Temu Cup and the exciting phantom race call courtesy of Max Lee, using fictitious names all related to VIEW members.

Anne McMahon and Raelee Bruce.

The sweeps were a guessing game with the names of runners hidden in envelopes for members to purchase. It wasn’t until envelopes were opened that ‘punters’ discovered whether they had the winner Point of Law, second placed Zahrann or Juja Kibo, all trained by Ciaron Maher.

Allyson Watson, Marg Kelly and Jeanette Hinshelwood.

The ‘Temu Cup’ organised by program officer Ann Thomas was hilarious, with miniature horses reeled in by ‘jockeys’ who broke race records to make it to the end of the table without falling off.

Jill Marmara, Sue Braby and Louise Stone. Photos: Supplied

New member Allyson Watson was welcomed and presented with her membership pack and badge by Raelee Bruce.

A decision was made to make a Christmas donation to The Smith Family children’s charity, to help disadvantaged families over the festive season.

Sue Walker, Fiona McKenzie and Sandra Mitchell.

VIEW Clubs operate under the banner of The Smith Family with members raising funds during the year to support the education of children through the Learning for Life program.

Aldyth Hailes and Judy Sills.

The club will be represented at the Zone N101 delegates’ meeting at The Railway Hotel on Thursday.

Allyson Watson, left, was presented with her membership badge by Raelee Bruce.

Invitations have been received from Gunnedah Day VIEW Club and Glen Innes VIEW Club to attend their Christmas luncheons, with a social outing planned for morning tea at Trelawneys at the end of the month.