City to turf with Evergreen
Chefs, rock stars and painters will make for strange bedfellows at the Evergreen annual charity dinner and auction being hosted by the Centennial Parklands Foundation this month.
The foundation, a not-for-profit organisation with the goal of preserving and improving Centennial Park, hopes the dinner will raise much-needed funds as well as awareness of their efforts.
The head chef for the evening will be Darren Foots, who has already been involved in many previous Evergreen dinners, and has worked with notable chefs such as Bill Granger, owner of the three critically acclaimed ‘Bills’ restaurants located in Darlinghurst, Woollahra and Surry Hills.
Stephen Evans, a landscape and still-life artist with a studio in Bondi, has painted and donated a surfboard worth over $6000 that will be auctioned off on the night,
Asked about his role, Evans said painting the board was a nice challenge.
“If it’s not fun I’m not interested,” he said, describing the work he did on the board as a continuation of his recent Beach Pebble Hills series of paintings.
Evans says his willingness to contribute to the event stemmed from his personal interest in the Foundation’s efforts to preserve green space in the city,
“As a father I want my kids to have that same feeling of fun outdoors that I did, without having to worry about being hit by cars,” he said.
But the artist also has a passion for grassroots charity work.
“People should think globally, act locally. If you can’t change the big things that are wrong, change the ones you can.”
Among the many supporters contributing to the auction is Axle Whitehead, a musician and actor who is offering a private gig to the highest bidder.
Whitehead made his debut on Australian Idol in 2003, going on to host Video Hits and to hold a regular role on Channel 7’s Home and Away.
Brazilian Capoeira dancers will provide the entertainment for the night, a suitable accompaniment for a night of fine dining in the park according to the event’s organisers.
The Evergreen Dinner will be held on October 21 at 7pm in Centennial Park. For event and ticketing information visit www.yourparklands.org.au.
– By Joshua Cole
