The Bendigo Jockey Club has welcomed a council decision to have the Bendigo Cup continue to be recognised as a public holiday, as concerns linger among businesses about its impact on trade.
A vote took place among Greater Bendigo councillors on Monday night, September 21st regarding the matter, with a majority voting for a holiday to be held annually on the last Wednesday of October until 2030.
Speaking to our newsroom, CEO Paul Scullie said the Club was “extremely grateful” to the council and wider community for their support.
“From our perspective, our responsibility now is to continue to drive tourism, and really to try and ensure that our community either get behind the day or celebrate whatever they want to – celebrate Bendigo on that day in some way…” Mr Scullie said.
The decision comes after a survey was conducted by the City’s council on whether or not to continue recognising a public holiday for the annual horse race.
According to council, 2672 responses were received over the month-long consultation process, 96 percent of which were submitted by individuals and four per cent by businesses.
Overall, 38.7 percent of respondents expressed a preference to retain the current arrangements, compared to 36.5 percent who preferred the Melbourne Cup as a public holiday, and 24.7 percent for the Bendigo Agricultural Show.
Epsom Ward representative Andrea Metcalf moved the motion at Monday’s meeting, saying she saw “no compelling reason for change” based on the survey’s results.
She also expressed concern about the impact on attendance figures should the public holiday and Cup no longer fall on the same date.
“Businesses know that it [Bendigo Cup Day] is a public holiday and for some of them, the Cup is also an important corporate day,” Cr Metcalf said.
“The case is supported by independent IER analysis and council’s own data, which shows the 2025 Bendigo Cup generated approximately $2.9 million to $3.2 million in local economic activity.
“That activity extends beyond hospitality and accommodation, to retail, fashion, hair and beauty services, transport, entertainment, and a range of other local suppliers and service providers.”
Mr Scullie echoed that point to Gold Central Victoria, noting the Cup provides people with the opportunity to support local businesses by purchasing their fashions for the day.
Conversely, Eppalock Ward councillor Aaron Spong was against the motion, noting more than half of businesses that submitted responses preferred having the Melbourne Cup as a public holiday.
“That is not a small difference, and I think it is important that we ask ourselves why businesses expressed that preference,” Cr Spong said at the meeting.
“And the report tells us approximately 34 percent of the businesses [sic] respondents identified alignment with the rest of Victoria as a key reason, while approximately 25.5 percent identified benefits for work and business operations.
“Those are practical considerations.”
The motion was carried four votes to one, with Cr Spong the lone objector.
Golden Square representative and Deputy Mayor, Karen Corr excused herself from the vote due to a potential conflict of interest, while councillors Shivali Chatley and Owen Cosgriff were absent for the meeting.
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