Racing industry gives back at special Melbourne Cup celebration

By Matt Nicholls

Some familiar faces from the Queensland racing industry have given up their time to help bring the magic of the Melbourne Cup to aged care residents in Toowoomba.

Race caller and Toowoomba Turf Club Racing and Operations Manager Josh Fleming and Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd helped Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Symes Thorpe residential aged care home stage a special Melbourne Cup celebration ahead of the race that stops the nation.

Fleming joined residents in person for a morning of racing stories, memories and entertainment, while Rodd recorded a special video message reflecting on his Melbourne Cup triumph aboard Efficient in 2007.

For Fleming, the visit was an opportunity to use his passion for racing to give residents an authentic taste of race day.

He took part in a Q&A about his career behind the microphone before delivering a special phantom Melbourne Cup featuring some of the greatest horses from the race’s history.

And when the formalities were over, Fleming stayed behind and put his race calling skills to work again, providing live commentary as residents competed in horse racing-themed games in the Symes Thorpe dining room.

“Horse racing has this wonderful ability to bring back memories and start conversations, particularly around a race like the Melbourne Cup,” Mr Fleming said.

“There are generations of stories connected to the Cup, so it was fantastic hearing some of those memories from the residents and being able to have a bit of fun with them as well.”

Fleming began calling races as a teenager in western Queensland and went on to call some of the state’s biggest meetings. He recently returned to the Outback to call his 23rd Birdsville Cup and is now Racing and Operations Manager at Clifford Park.

Among the residents enjoying the morning was Jean Williamson, who has a particularly strong connection to Australian racing.

Her brother, jockey Bill Camer, won many of the country’s biggest races, including three Stradbroke Handicaps, and rode in several Melbourne Cups.

Camer finished second aboard Nether Gold in the 1959 Melbourne Cup, a racing career that remains a source of great pride for his sister.

“The Melbourne Cup always brings back memories of Bill and his time as a jockey,” Jean said.

“It was such a big part of his life, and it is lovely to be able to talk about those memories again and share them with everyone here.”

Rodd, who was unable to attend in person because of racing commitments, also gave his time to record a special message for the residents and reflected on why sharing Melbourne Cup memories with older Australians remained important to him.

“I love coming into aged care homes because you guys are the generation that really remember racing for what it was,” Rodd said.

“I enjoy listening to your stories and your memories of the Cup, because you have stories that I haven’t heard before and I find that fascinating.

“I think that’s what makes the Cup so much a part of Australian history. Everyone knows that first Tuesday in November, whether you’re a racing fan or not.”

Symes Thorpe Lifestyle Assistant and Personal Care Worker Alicia Timm said the involvement of Fleming and Rodd helped make the celebration particularly special for residents.

“For many of our residents, the Melbourne Cup has been part of their lives for decades, whether that was going to the races, following a favourite horse or jockey, or simply gathering with family and friends to watch the race,” Ms Timm said.

“Events like this are about much more than entertainment. They give residents an opportunity to reminisce, tell their stories and connect with each other over experiences they remember fondly.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Josh and Michael for giving their time to help us create such a memorable day.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere in the room and having Josh join in with the games and bring them to life with his race calls made it even more special.”

The Melbourne Cup celebration formed part of Symes Thorpe’s ongoing program of activities designed to support social connection, enjoyment and meaningful experiences for residents.

With the 2026 Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington on Tuesday, Jean will once again be watching the race and remembering her brother’s own place in Melbourne Cup history.