Verandah Magazine publisher Candida Baker headed to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions annual Women in Racing lunch, with SAHA charity founder Amanda Vella and found that the art of millinery is alive and well…
Women in Racing Incoporated Australia – to give it its full name, all started 12 years ago in 2004 when two of Australia’s reigning race royalty, Jennifer Bartels and Baslyn Beel decided to create a support system for Australian women involved in the industry. Beel – who supports the Baslyn Beel Handicap on the Gold Coast – and Bartels have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through their fund-raising events towards the welfare of racehorses.
“Of all the events we run the Magic Millions lunch at the Sheraton Mirage is our flagship event,” said Bartels. “This year was our eleventh lunch, and we were thrilled at the response.”
Racing tipster Bernadette Cooper from Sky Racing with Jennifer Bartels, Director of Women in Racing Incorporated Australia.
For Amanda Vella, the founder of Save a Horse Australia, and one of the major speakers for the day, along with Bernadette Cooper and Matt Cumani it was a chance to talk some of the industry’s finest about the importance of caring for racehorses beyond their careers. Luckily for both Vella and me, Lauren Holland from Joli Boutique took pity on our hatless status and lent us two beautiful works of art. “It was a wonderful experience to wear a hat that wasn’t a riding helmet or a sun-visor,” says Vella.
Which raised an important question – when does a fascinator become a hat? “Great question,” said Bartels at the end of the lunch, as we gazed on the amazing collection of millinery from Holland’s and Desley Walker’s Jolli Boutique Millinery, Meredith McMaster, Holly Young from 2englishbirds, Sandy Aslett and Tracy Mac. “I think if something sits on top the hat, and frames the head then it’s a hat, if it’s on a headband, or balanced on the side of the head, it’s a fascinator.” Bartel’s own hat for the day, a stylish beige number (below) was originally a Philip Treacy hat, which Bartels wore to Royal Ascot. “I got Shirley Luke, who’s 84 now, to redesign it for the lunch, and I’m very happy with the result,” says Bartel.
“And everyone, men and women, seemed inordinately fond of hats.” Stephen Lawhead
