Melbourne Cup Luncheon 2025
- timbarnstable
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 12
The Carbine Club of Tokyo’s 2025 Melbourne Cup Luncheon dazzled the racing fans, with attendees dressed to impress. The ladies were glamourous and the gentlemen looked sharp.
Held in the sumptuous Coriander Room of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, the event added extra excitement with two new premier sponsors: Qantas Airways and Hyatt Centric Melborune. Their generous prize package, a pair of economy round-trip tickets and a luxury stay in Melbourne, sparked interest and spirited bidding at the silent auction.
Attendees from Qantas Airways team included Simon Smith, General Manager for South East Asia, Republic of Korea, and Republic of China at Qantas Airways, Yumiko Uemura and Naomi Matsumoto. We also wish to offer special thanks to Hyatt Centra Melbourne for its invaluable support.
Special thanks to our sponsor Penfolds for the many bottles of wine, including their Champagne Cuvee Brut from France, to keep spirits high throughout the afternoon.
Funds raised from the Sweeps, Raffles, and Silent Auction will support YouMeWe, a Tokyo-based non-profit supporting 33,000 children in institutional care and another 15,000 in foster homes. The funds go toward guidance and support that empowers these young people to build fulfilling lives beyond high school. And Asian University for Women, a pioneering liberal arts university based in Chittagong, Bangladesh, dedicated to educating and empowering women from across Asia and the Middle East—especially those who would otherwise never have access to higher education. The University welcomes women from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on those from displaced, underserved, and rural communities.
In total, the fundraising efforts—through auctions, raffles, and other activities—brought in around 1.2 million yen, or just under A$12,000.
Several distinguished figures lent prestige to the luncheon, including Australian Ambassador Justin Hayhurst. Former Wallaby and new Tokyo club member Bernard Foley attracted much attention, warmly posing for photos with fellow attendees. A special thank-you goes to TopTia Photography’s Tia Haywood, an award-winning portrait professional, whose exceptional work captured a collection of stunning highlights throughout the day, creating cherished memories for all. A link to all the photographs from the day follows.
Thank you to our major sponsors!
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