Audio on demand

MC for the day Bryan Martin provides a brief background to the Melbourne Cup and Andrew Sayers, the new Director of the National Museum, outlines why the Museum recently declined to lend Phar Lap’s heart to Melbourne for the horse’s re-assembly.

Hear a racing administrator, the author of The Horse in Australia, a bookie and a sports publisher discuss the public fascination with the Cup as not only a day of fashion, socialising, networking and fun but also a time to chance their luck with a bet.

Rod Fitzroy, Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, outlines events taking place during 2010 to mark the 150th Melbourne Cup race, including the launch of a commemorative coin set struck by the Royal Australian Mint and three legacy projects.

Journalist, acclaimed cricket historian and devoted club cricketer Gideon Haigh and sportswriter John Harms explore the changing value of the baggy green and its significance as a symbol of Australia.

This is a forum on how Indigenous Australians have enriched Australian Rules football, and the social significance of their participation. Speakers include players, academics and sports commentators.

The great and controversial moments of 100 years of rugby league in Australia are discussed by sports historians Ian Heads, Sean Fagan and Geoff Armstrong and National Museum curator Guy Hansen.

The relative merits of rugby union and rugby league football are debated by ABC Canberra sports reporter Tim Gavel, Brumbies media manager Nick Smith, Canberra Raiders media manager Ben Pollock and National Museum curator Guy Hansen.