The small rural village of Burrumbuttock is set to come alive on 3, 4 and 5 October 2025, as locals and visitors gather to honour 150 years of vibrant history, resilient community spirit and rural heritage in the Riverina.

Over the course of 48 festive hours, residents, former locals and guests will be treated to a diverse program of events, forging new memories while celebrating those that have shaped Burrumbuttock’s story since its founding in 1875.

“We’ve been working for almost two years on the planning of this event and we are pretty excited to see it come to fruition,” said organising committee chairperson Ashley Lindner.

“It’s been a pretty mammoth effort with 12 to 15 of us involved and various sub-committees of that group responsible for different elements of the event.

“For a small rural village we’ll have a lot going on over the weekend and we’d really like to see people from both Burrumbuttock and all the surrounding towns come and celebrate with us. It would really give us great joy to see a good turnout.”

The presence of the Lexus Melbourne Cup at the event bestows a distinguished level of prestige, signifying Burrumbuttock as the sole town in the Southern Riverina to host the illustrious cup. Attendees have the unique opportunity to capture a photograph with the esteemed trophy, further enhancing the significance of the visit.

“This is going to make a real point of difference for our 150th celebrations,” Mr Lindner said.

“Both Walla Walla and Jindera have held anniversary events like this and they were absolutely brilliant, but this will put a different spin on ours.

“The Victorian Racing Club even made it happen for our weekend event which has been totally amazing.”

The 18-carat gold Melbourne Cup trophy is now worth a record $850,000.

Reflecting on a Rich Heritage

Burrumbuttock, population 400, has thrived as a close-knit agricultural town for a century and a half. From its earliest days as a settlement of pioneering families to its place in contemporary regional life, Burrumbuttock’s legacy is woven from the threads of hard work, neighbourly care and unwavering resilience. The 150th celebrations will bring together generations of families, community groups and friends to reflect on the enduring spirit that makes Burrumbuttock special.

Program Highlights include

• Fashion Retrospective: Friday 3 October, 6.30pm and Saturday 4 October, 2.30pm. A unique fashion retrospective will showcase more than 100 garments donated by community members, highlighting the town's rich heritage.

• The Lexus Melbourne Cup: The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup Trophy Tour is making a special stop in Burrumbuttock as part of the town's 150th anniversary celebrations.

The Melbourne Cup Trophy will be featured in the Friday night Fashion Retrospective at the Public Hall and as part of the street parade on Saturday.

There will be opportunities for attendees to have their photos taken holding the prestigious cup between 8.30am and 9.30am at the Recreation Ground.

• Street Parade: A vibrant parade will wind through Burrumbuttock’s main street from 10am to 11.15am, showcasing vintage vehicles, an extensive family-owned collection of farm machinery, community floats and colourful costumes. The Melbourne Cup will lead the parade, featured on a historical wagon and pulled by an award-winning team of Clydesdale horses.

• Official welcome: Held at 12.30pm on the recreation grounds..

• Bush Dance. 6pm – 9pm. Swing your partner round and round. A free concert performed by the Swag n’ Billy Bush Band who will get you toe tapping and also teach you some moves.

• Historical re-enactment of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII when a young 11-year-old Ray Hall was asked to ride his pony in the main centre of Burrumbuttock, ringing the town bell to alert residents that the war had been declared over.

Ray (now deceased) is survived by his daughter Janene and his granddaughter and great grand daughter who will reenact the scene, complete with pony, as part of the weekend commemorations. To be held Sunday 5 October at 11.45am, following on from an Ecumenical Church Service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 10am.