Gearing up for the Melbourne Cup

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, 90, have followed the horses and attended racing events over the course of their 71-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.

“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,” Mr Robinson 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.”

The couple married in 1939, with Mr Robinson coming from a family of horse enthusiasts, while Mrs Robinson’s family were strictly opposed to gambling.

“My family were non-gamblers. 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,” she said.

“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,” she continued.

Despite their age, 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,” Mr Robinson said.

“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 the Robinsons 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, Mr Robinson advises, “Bet within your means – enjoy it, don’t try to be a millionaire.

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