SAVE Our Foreshore hosted a cheese and wine evening and auction, showing off a collection of art and craft works donated by Whitsunday artists, in order to raise funds for the legal fight against the Port of Airlie high-rise.
The art exhibition and auction took place on Friday, March 31, at 3 Little Birds Espresso and Creative Hub, Airlie Beach.
Prior to the event, a weeklong preview of the donated artworks was held.
A number of local artists donated artworks including Richard Timperley, who created a historic painting of Boat haven Bay, in the 1900s.
The creative hub was packed with Save Our Foreshore supporters, who came ready to bid on the local artwork and help raise funds.
A display featuring past adverts that Save Our Foreshore have published against the Shingley Beach and Port Of Airlie high-rise, along with a mock-up of the proposed Port Of Airlie high-rise, was set up in the entry way, featuring a coffin that read ‘The Death of the Development Application’.
SOF president Suzette Pelt said they were overwhelmed by the community support and the success of the night, which raised more than $10,000.
“The community has stepped up to show their support in so many ways, with donated delicious cheeses for 80 people, from FISHI, to our Whitsunday art community donating some 50 works of art.
“Including paintings by award winning artists, collage, lead lighting, ceramics, and photography.
“Star of the art show was Carol Bell’s stunning Pink Orchids, which sold for $3,200.
“Well attended by almost 80 people, the art auction was fronted by SOF founder member Dennis Mundle, who in a past life was a cattle auctioneer and had the crowd going wild.”
