EARLIER this week, several of regular Harrow locals involved with their long-running Sound and Light show were invited to Government House to participate in the annual pre-Melbourne Cup reception, much to their great excitement.

Turning up at the elegant venue was a great thrill for them, as they found themselves hobnobbing among some of Victoria’s movers and shakers.

Harrow Discovery Centre manager, Josie Sangster explained that the invitation came about from the VIP visit back in mid-August.

“After the Sound and Light Show crew entertained the Governor (Margaret Gardner) when she came to Harrow; they put on a sort of impromptu, small scale ‘snapshot’ of the Sound and Light show – which they absolutely loved, and that was reciprocated with an invitation to a Melbourne Cup function,” she said.

Ms Sangster said although the reception crowd was mainly made up of racing industry people, it was still a special honour for the small town to be recognised.

“There were a lot of connections to horses that were part of the spring carnival, or people were invited for their dedication to the sport,” she said.

“It seemed to me that the people that we talked with, and anybody that the Governor had had connection with during the year, that she was repaying hospitality or acknowledging people in the room that had connection to horses and horse racing.”

Harrow artist, Ron ‘Stretch’ Penrose said the group that turned up wasn’t just Sound and Light Show people, but a few others from the wider area that had been visited by the Governor, including from West Wimmera Shire.

He said he found himself marvelling at the interiors where the reception was held – “coming into the building (it was) just beautiful”, particularly “the roof of the building, that is just so impressive” – and also got to see the Melbourne Cup up close, perhaps too close!

“We were asked to move off the dais,” he laughed.

“I don’t know if we were too close to the chair or too close to the Cup, but someone politely came along and said, ‘Can you move off?’”

But Mr Penrose said the atmosphere was amazing and they were made to feel at home.

“We were really warmly welcomed,” he said.

“All the military staff and the waitress staff just made you feel welcome.

“Everyone’s pretty similar to us – they’re trying to eat and hold a glass of wine, spilling it everywhere,” he chuckled.

But he said the Australian artwork on the walls definitely caught his attention to make for a memorable experience.

“I got to see a couple of (Arthur) Streetons and (Frederick) McCubbins and Walter Withers paintings,” Mr Penrose said.

“I just admire Streeton’s landscapes, just such free(and) clever compositions.”

Ms Sangster said it was a great thrill for the town’s volunteers to be invited, even for those who weren’t able to make the trip.

“It was an honour to be recognised for the volunteer work that doesn’t often get acknowledged,” she said.

“There was probably 800 or so there.

“But, out of the state of Victoria, it was still a privilege to be there, of course, and we did get to speaking to other people who wondered where Harrow was.

“A lot of people wondered what connection we had with the racing industry!

“The day was beautiful. Everyone looked fabulous, and it was special.

As for the iconic local show, Ms Sangster said it continued to be a popular attraction for Harrow tourism and regularly had visitors from long distances including from interstate.

The Sound and Light Show in Harrow has been running since 1996, and has a few dates left for 2024: November 9 (today), 23 and December 7 – for more information, email discover.harrow@gmail.com