It's a beautiful irony that while COVID-19 has stopped many parts of the nation in 2020, it won't stop the Melbourne Cup.
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Nor will it stop the fashion side of the big day. Wimmera residents like Rebecca Maddocks are helping make sure of that.
Normally during this week of the year, the Ararat local would be heading to race meets, including the Royal Melbourne Show and Melbourne Cup, to compete for titles.
This year, she has entered the Victorian Racing Club and Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn competition, which is continuing digitally in 2020.
She said even though the experience of entering a fashions on the field competition will be less social this year, many will still find it rewarding.
"A few girls have issues with anxiety and things like that, so it gives them confidence in public to be on a stage and present an outfit," she said.
"A lot of people take time with an outfit, working with milliners and designers, and making it all come together to make it something no one else is wearing.
"It also creates such lifelong friendships: The other day my friends and I had a Zoom meeting where we were dressed up in our homes, having champagne and talking about fashion for Stakes Day, a Sydney race meet."
"I sent photos through (for the Melbourne Cup competition) on Thursday."
Mrs Maddocks helps runs the Facebook page "the Wimmera Run", which staged a virtual fashion and horse show in June.
"We had such high-class competitors and entries, and everybody had a lot of fun," she said. 'They are requesting another one, but it's so much work I thought we'd just run with one. Normally the Wimmera Run would be running right now, but we weren't sure if the Horsham Agricultural Show was going to take place, so we thought we would leave them to do that."
Ms Maddocks also won a virtual fashion show earlier this year, earning her a spot on the cover of a magazine.
Finalists for the fashions on your front lawn competition will announced in mid-October ahead of the final on Oaks Day, Thursday November 5.
Have you entered a fashions on the field event this year? Send us your photos to newsdesk@mailtimes.com.au.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
