Gannawarra might show up Melbourne Cup day a month early

Step right up and have your say, council asks residents if they want to switch the Cup holiday for a Show holiday

The Gannawarra Shire Council is asking local residents to consider afresh taking their Melbourne Cup holiday a month early so they can take part in the Kerang Show.

In a consultation closing just before Christmas, Council is asking if the whole Shire might shift to the scheduled Monday 9 October 2023 Kerang and District Agricultural Society Show date. One option would be for Kerang district areas to have the early holiday, and the rest of the shire observes Melbourne Cup Day as usual.

Mayor Charlie Gillingham said on Monday:

"Council has received a request from the Kerang and District Agricultural Society to consider changing the current arrangements, which sees the Gannawarra Shire observe the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday to arrangements which provide a public holiday for the Kerang Show.

“Community engagement regarding public holiday arrangements last occurred in 2015/16, which has led to Gannawarra Shire maintaining a public holiday on Melbourne Cup day each year since.