Dine with legends

Living Legends' Nelie Bogoda and Tom Melbourne. (Damjan Janevski) 241213_01

Michaela Meade

A legendary organisation has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Hume council to expand outdoor dining and tourism opportunities.

Living Legends in Woodlands Drive, Greenvale is home to some of the best-known former racing horses.

The site houses 20 “living legends”, including Melbourne Cup winners Prince of Penzance, Almandin, Fawkner and Rogan Josh.

Chief executive Andrew Clarke said the ability to expand the site’s outdoor dining would help the organisation recover some of its income lost as a result of COVID-19.

“The immediate consequence of the COVID restrictions and [lockdowns] was the cancellation of over $100,000 of tours and functions,” he said.

“Now more than ever during these COVID times the broader community is looking for space, fresh air and the opportunity to take a break and get back to nature.

“All of this is available at Living Legends and Woodlands Historic Homestead and Park.”

The organisation runs several programs that allow the community to learn with and from the legends residing at the site.

Visitors can also meet the horses through guided tours, as well as photo, feeding and patting opportunities.

Mr Clarke said the opportunity to increase the number of people able to visit the site was welcome.

“The visitor economy is strong and growing in Hume, attracting visitors and creating employment,” he said.

“It’s a great place to work and a great place to live with some much to see and do.”

Living Legends received a grant from Hume council as part of its COVID-19 recovery and reactivation plan.

Details: www.livinglegends.org.au