Date: Saturday, 3rd November 2001
Place: The Haig Restaurant, Cnr Northbourne Ave & Girrahween St, Canberra
Guest Speaker: Ian Sharpe, Canberra Times political satire comic artist
Antonio Di Dio couldn’t be there, Jim and Judith Shepherd were reluctantly committed elsewhere and various other members who wanted to come were unable to attend. And yet it was another entertaining and successful Dinner with 32 diners, so much so that having a Spring Dinner in Canberra looks like being an annual event.
Berin and Renée Denham deserve special mention for organising a spacious and convenient venue. They also showed courage and initiative under duress. Our original guest speaker was to have been Margaret Tierney, actress and ex-Miss Australia, but at the last moment she apologised for having forgotten a previous speaking engagement at the United States Embassy. Berin and Renée were able to produce Ian Sharpe, illustrator and cartoonist for the Canberra Times. He was a lot of fun, had done his research, gave a very interesting talk about his development as an artist (early Ray Moore influences included) and, as a bonus, admitted to having enjoyed himself immensely at the Dinner.
Several new Members joined us (Gary & Pauline Halliburton, Dominic Kelly... first timers, Carlyle & Katherine Seers... second time at a Dinner) and there were seven Canberra Members... which I believe is our entire complement in Canberra.
It was wonderful also to have Stephen and Violet Baggs and Phillip Johnston (accompanied by wife Kerry) return to the fold.
Fatherly pride dictates that I mention the sterling efforts of Daniel Fry whose raffle ticket selling ability (aided by Bambi eyes) was non pareil. He sold all 70 tickets in record time. Fittingly, the Raffle was won by Canberra Member Mark Cannon whose joy at winning should have been recorded. A happy man!
Stephen Baggs was awarded the Lee Falk Tribute (about time!) and Berin bid successfully at the auction for the second artwork which was ably conducted by Kerry Thew. The two artworks, quite unique (see Gallery), were generously donated by Jim Shepherd.
We raised another $1000 for the Children’s Hospital and all up, it was a pleasant evening enjoyed by all.
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