While the country is a little divided right now, all Australians can agree that Feel-Good Friday delivers the goods on the regular. Whether you’re keen to sip on some quality grapes or give back to your local community, check out our ultimate guide to make the most of the weekend break.
Table of contents
- Wine Tasting Extravaganza, Anyone?
- Australia’s Largest Marathon Raises Money for Mental Health
- Rock Some WWF-Australia Kit to Protect Our Animals
- Come Alive at Parramatta Lanes Festival
- LANDMARK by Lexus: Experience the Essence of Luxury and Craftsmanship at the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival
- BACARDÍ Dance Floor Heats Up Sydney
- Uber and Red Cross Launch 2023 Clothing Drive
- Get Saucy at the Icebergs Spaghetti Disco
Wine Tasting Extravaganza, Anyone?
Raise a glass for Different Drop’s 10th Birthday Bash! On October 14, join them and over 30 amazing Aussie winemakers at Paddington Town Hall. Savour 150+ rare and new wines, chat with your favourite winemakers and indulge in global delights and tasty snacks. It’s a celebration of a decade’s worth of passion for incredible wines, so head on down and enjoy some quality vino.
Australia’s Largest Marathon Raises Money for Mental Health
Australia’s largest marathon festival – the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival – will return to the nation’s sporting capital on Sunday 15th October 2023. Celebrating the 45th instalment of the iconic event, this year is set to be bigger and better than ever with registrations already flying out the door.
As we look to the mammoth event, in pairing comes an array of incredible charities and touching personal stories from entrants looking to raise awareness and funds for special causes. In 2022, participants and supporters raised a tremendous $1.1 million for over 250 charities. This year, thousands of racegoers will once again fundraise for a cause close to their hearts, including the festival’s new premier charity partner Beyond Blue, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination around mental health.
Registrations for the remaining events are now open here.
Rock Some WWF-Australia Kit to Protect Our Animals
Shoppers can help support and raise awareness of endangered animals by purchasing a charitable new range of ‘wildlife’ socks. Underworks and WWF-Australia have joined forces to create the Wildlife Collection, where 5% of each sale will go towards supporting WWF’s goal to Regenerate Nature by 2030, an initiative that works to protect endangered animals such as the koala and tiger.
The donation will help WWF’s vital conservation work to protect endangered species, including efforts to double koala numbers on Australia’s east coast by 2050, through restoring their habitat and protecting them against disease. The funds will also go towards helping wildlife abroad facing similar threats, including protecting tiger habitats.
The Wildlife Collection will launch at Big W from October 23 and Woolworths in November.
Parramatta Lanes | October 11 – 14 from City of Parramatta on Vimeo.
Come Alive at Parramatta Lanes Festival
Last night saw the opening of Parramatta Lanes 2023 – an epic free festival in the heart of Parramatta. With 40+ food vendors and 120+ musical acts, there will be plenty to explore. Whether you want to try Australia’s largest Prawn Cracker with PrawnStars, or you’re down for a boogie with giant dancing teddy bears, the lanes have something for everyone. The fun continues tonight until Saturday October 14, and the City of Parramatta invites all to indulge.
LANDMARK by Lexus: Experience the Essence of Luxury and Craftsmanship at the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival
In a harmonious blend of Japanese and Australian influences, LANDMARK by Lexus returns to Flemington Racecourse in 2023, showcasing a fusion of culinary delights, exquisite design, and captivating entertainment. Rooted in the essence of Japanese omotenashi hospitality, the exclusive pavilion offers a serene oasis characterised by thoughtful sophistication and design. Celebrating its sixth year as the Principal Partner of the Victoria Racing Club, Lexus Australia unveils “Close to the Source,” a theme inspired by the Japanese tradition of anticipating guests’ needs.
The pavilion, designed by Koichi Takada Architects, seamlessly merges Japanese and Australian landscapes, embodying the essence of both cultures. Inside, guests are treated to a multi-layered experience named Source, Cultivate, and Harvest, where sustainability meets exceptional design. The culinary journey, led by renowned Australian restaurateur Luke Mangan, emphasises premium, sustainably sourced ingredients, crafting a luxurious dining experience. Exclusive creations abound, from bespoke tables by design duo Laker to a unique floral experience by florist Katie Marx, all reflecting the theme of being close to nature.
LANDMARK by Lexus also features the debut of the Lexus Electrified Sport, an avant-garde sports car, and the unveiling of the all-new Lexus LBX, a compact urban SUV showcasing innovation and luxury. Throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, esteemed Lexus Ambassadors, including racing personalities and sports stars, grace the event, adding to the allure of this exceptional experience. Lexus Australia Chief Executive, John Pappas, underscores the event’s sophistication, style, and refinement, epitomising Lexus’s commitment to creating extraordinary experiences.
BACARDÍ Dance Floor Heats Up Sydney
To celebrate the approaching summer, BACARDÍ has teamed up with Northeast Party House to headline one of its legendary parties; BACARDÍ Dance Floor. Hosted by the world’s most-awarded rum brand, the one-night-only gig on Friday, 27 October will bring epic tunes and delicious cocktails to Sydney’s creative hotspot, Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School, turning it into what is sure to be the ultimate dance floor not to be missed. All profits from the gig will be donated to Support Act, a charity that delivers crisis relief services across the music industry.
Uber and Red Cross Launch 2023 Clothing Drive
Uber and Red Cross are launching the 2023 Clothing Drive, calling on Australians to take advantage of free clothing pick-ups in major cities on Saturday 21 October with donations supporting Red Cross’ vital disaster work.
We know the cost of living is biting, but new research has revealed its impact on Aussies’ donation habits, with almost half of Aussies expressing a desire to give back but citing financial constraints as a significant hurdle in doing so.
The new “Cost of Giving” report, commissioned by Australian Red Cross and Uber, reveals that 43% of Australians are experiencing ‘donation paralysis’ – a growing phenomenon that reflects a desire to contribute to charitable causes but uncertainty about the most effective ways to do so.
However, 97% of Aussies admit they have clothing sitting in their wardrobe that they haven’t worn in the past 12 months, worth a collective $18.5 billion. If donated, this unused clothing could provide a simple way to raise much needed funds for Australians in need.
Find out how to get involved here.
Get Saucy at the Icebergs Spaghetti Disco
This Sunday 15th October, Icebergs Present Disco Kicks Spaghetti Disco featuring DJ legends from across AU and the globe! Join Beppe Lodda (Milan), Stefano Pierozzi (Rome), and Tony Crea (Melbourne) for a party, a celebration of Italo Disco, Nudisco, Afro, & House Music & Italo snacks and drinks with the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop.
