Past Event Overview
The Calcutta Luncheon – proudly sponsored by Gallagher – took place on Friday 31st October and what a great day it was! The Calcutta is the perfect way to bring your team and customers together for a great day focused on networking and relaxed entertainment. We had plenty of action for everyone. Comedian Arj Barker provided the laughs, while our Keynote Speaker is last year’s Melbourne Cup winning jockey, Robbie Dolan. That is a pretty impressive line up! Members also had the chance to bid on the favourites for this year’s race.
Time: 12.00pm – 4.30pm
Location: River Room, Level 1 Crown Towers, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
SCHEDULE
- 12.00pm: Networking drinks
- 12.30pm: Luncheon featuring entertainment, Melbourne Cup auction and networking
- 4.30pm: Close of event
Keynote Speaker
Members got an insider’s view of racing’s biggest stage. Fresh off his unforgettable Melbourne Cup victory, champion jockey Robbie Dolan joined MC Nigel Carmody for a candid Q&A – shared the thrill of last year’s win, the highs and hurdles of his career, and what it really takes to succeed at the top of the sport.
Robbie Dolan
2024 Melbourne Cup Winner
Robbie Dolan is an Irish-born jockey and singer who has made a name for himself in Australia in recent years both on the racetrack and on the stage. Dolan, from County Kildare, comes from a family deeply rooted in horse racing. Over his career, Dolan has claimed significant victories, including multiple Group 1 races and now his most notable and headline grabbing win in the prestigious 2024 Melbourne Cup, with a masterful ride on 80-1 outsider Knight’s Choice in his Cup debut.
Beyond racing, Dolan has a love of music and is an accomplished singer. He showcased his singing talent on the Australian edition of The Voice in 2022, impressing judges and advancing through rounds to the top 24 contestants.
Comedian
Arj Barker
Comedian
Arj is an American standup comedian with a worldwide following. As a standup he won the coveted Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has performed regular sell out seasons at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He now tours Australia and New Zealand on a regular basis attracting sold out audiences at the largest theatres in the country. He has also performed in Holland, Sweden, Norway, USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand
He has made numerous appearances on late night talk shows; including Letterman and Conan O’Brian shows, as well as his own half hour special on HBO produced by comedy central. Arj also plays ‘Dave’ on HBO’s hit series ‘Flight of the Conchords ‘. Arj has also appeared on Bill Maher’s Last Comic Standing and Multiple “Just for Laughs” Galas.
Arj is also a favourite on Australian TV; having appeared on “Thank God You’re Here”, “Rove”, “Spicks and Specks”, “Good News Week”, “The 7pm Project”, “Talkin ‘bout Your Generation”, “Have You Been Paying Attention”, “The Footy Show” as well as numerous Melbourne International Comedy Festival Galas.
MC
Nigel Carmody
Host, Racing.com
Nigel’s affinity with and love of horse racing has seen him take on hosting duties for Seven’s Racing coverage and with the sport’s dedicated channel, Racing.com. Front and centre for major race meetings at iconic tracks including Flemington, Caulfield and The Valley, he has driven the conversation as a host on programs such as The Wrap, Spring Contenders and After The Last.
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