event details
what: t-rex races/fashion comps
The 2019, Inaugural Compassionate Stakes featured compassionate Canberran's, racing in giant inflatable T-Rex costumes - making horse racing cruelty ancient history!
Fashionistas participated in Fashion Off The Fields competition, "If Looks Could Not Kill."
Information about horses and animal racing was available, a vegan sausage sizzle, plant-based sausage rolls from Herbisaurus, baked goods from Tivkah's Bakery prizes and entertainment abound.
We will be back in 2020!
Where: CANBERRA CITY
2020 Location TBC
when: T-REX tuesday IS HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF november
Until Horse racing is banned in the ACT, we will continue to provide this cruelty free alternative.
2020 Time TBC
why: having fun shouldn't involve cruelty
One horse dies on Australian race tracks every three days. More and more people are deciding that entertainment that relies on others having a terrible time is no fun. We all enjoy getting dressed up and having a good time with friends, but watching animals suffering is no-one's cup of tea.
t-rex races
6 Races | 10 Competitors per race | 75m Distance (approx) | Inflatable T-Rex Costumes
Race 1: the big bang (12:30pm)
This is where it all starts! Sign up for the first T-Rex race to hit Canberra's streets! Race distance, approximately 75 metres. 10 spots available, don't be a Saur loser, grab some friends and sign up today! Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd!
Race 2: dino-dash (1:00pm)
Horse racing has done it's dash - now it's time for you to do yours! Sign up for the race 2, the Dino-Dash! Race distance, approximately 75 metres. 10 spots available, grab some colleauges and see who's the most superior dino-racer in your office! sign up today! Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd!
Co-dependent? Not like to do things without your BFF? This is the race for you! sign up with your buddy and relay race in T-Rex costumes for GLORY! Race distance, approximately 75 metres. Max 5 teams of 2. Prizes for 1st team only.
Race 5: Roller Raptors (2:30pm)
T-Rex Race - ON WHEELS! Watch the wild-childs of Canberra Roller Derby battle it out in the name of making cruelty ancient history!
Race 6: CompassionATE stakes (3pm)
The race you've been waiting for! Compassionate leaders from all walks of life - politics, sporting heroes, media, emergency services, business world, compete in the Compassionate Stakes - who will take the cup?
t-rex races
6 Races | 10 Competitors per race | 75m Distance (approx) | Inflatable T-Rex Costumes
Race 1: The Big Bang
Where it all begins! The first T-Rex race to hit Canberra's streets! Race distance, approximately 75 metres. Competitors had to pop a balloon before moving from the start line!
Race 2: Dino-Dash
Horse racing has done it's dash - now it's time for you to do yours! The Dino-Dash! Race distance, approximately 150 metres.
Race 3: Reptilian Relay
Co-dependent? Not like to do things without your BFF? The Reptilian Relay is the race for you! Race distance, approximately 75 metres (x 2).
Race 4: T-Rex Trials
More of a thinker than a racer? This race will demonstrate your superior brainpower as you navigate a series of challenges in your T-Rex suit. Race distance approximately 75m, max 10 participants, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd person to finish with all sections completed successfully. Entry Fee: $10
All contestants receive a voucher for 10% off plant-based items on the Fish Shack menu on the day.
Race 5: Roller Derby 'Rexs
T-Rex Race - ON WHEELS! Watch the wild-childs of Canberra Roller Derby battle it out in the name of making cruelty ancient history!
Race 6: Compassionate Stakes
The race you've been waiting for! Compassionate leaders from all walks of life - social change organisations, animal protection, media, and the business world, compete in the Compassionate Stakes - who will take the title?
1st place: Jonathon Naef -Balance Family Law
Jonathon Naef is a lawyer at and Co-founder of Balance Family Law, a firm that believes in resolving family law matters with dignity, understanding and insight. His goal is to make the law and legal solutions more accessible (and affordable) through technology. Jono also volunteers with The Legal Forecast, a not-for-profit run by early-career professionals and students who are passionate about disruptive thinking and access to justice.
2nd Place: Matthew - LUSH CANBERRA Centre
Due to a late scratching, Matthew from the wonderful LUSH store in the Canberra Centre stepped up to race in the 2019 Compassionate Stakes, and race he did - putting up the closest finish and subsequent tie-break races in T-Rex Tuesday history!
Tragically Matthew pulled up just shy of victory, but he's a winner to us and to animals everywhere!
LUSH Australia, through their charity pot program, supported the 2019 Compassionate Stakes allowing us to create an amazing cruelty free alternative to the Melbourne Cup.
3rd place: TARA WARD - ANIMAL DEFENDERS OFFICE
Tara co-founded Australia’s first Animal Defenders Office, a national community legal centre dealing with legal matters affecting animals and their defenders. In 2017 the Animal Defenders Office was accredited by the National Association of Community Legal Centres, which is the peak industry body for community legal centres in Australia.
Tara is a member of the statutory Animal Welfare Advisory Committee advising the ACT Minister responsible for animal welfare, and an animal welfare category member on a university Animal Ethics Committee. Tara is also the co-founder of and volunteer event manager for the Living Green Festival (ACT) Inc., which has been bringing cruelty-free eco events to the Nation’s capital since 2011.
4th Place: dr ELOISE BRIGHT - aCT PET CRISIS FUND
Dr Eloise has been a vet for 13 years and provides a mobile palliative care service in Canberra through Sunset Vets, as well as enjoying helping with pet behaviour problems through Canberra Behaviour Vet and Belconnen Animal Hospital. Through her work with the RSPCA she regularly sees pet owners who need assistance with their pets and would like to help wherever possible. In her spare time she enjoys reading, dancing and caring for two young boys and her ever-growing furry family of 3 dogs and 2 cats.
5th place (but 1st for style): Dr Lucy Fish from 2CC Pet tales
Dr Lucy Fish may be a household name to many Canberrans due to her regular radio show "Pet Tales" on 2CC with Dr Nonna Green and Heike Hahner, but her calling to help animals started well before the show brought her to us. Improving the lives of animals has been a driving force in her life for as long as she can recall:
"Ever since I first discovered what a veterinarian was, I have wanted to become one. For me it meant being in the ultimate position to help animals by having the ability to save lives and prevent animal suffering."
fashions Off the field
If Looks Could Not Kill
The Judges
Jessica Adelan-Langford - Adelan Langford Legal Consulting
Alison Kaigan - Genki Finance
prizes
Gorman Fashions Vouchers
Enliven Infrared Sauna Vouchers
eligibility
All sections of the Fashion Off the Fields competition are open to all, Men, Women and friends beyond the binary.
Entrants are urged to plan their outfits with compassion in mind, please avoid animal products (feathers, fur, silk, leather) - additional points will be awarded to entrants with no animal products in their designs.
Entrants will be judged upon their creativity, styling and accessories, judges decisions are final.
