Take a vintage country railway platform, throw in lots of good food and wine, add a very long dining table – and you’ve got the makings of a very memorable fundraising dinner.
These are just some of the elements coming together for the inaugural Fundraising Dinner and Art Auction soon to transform the heritage railway platform at Newstead Railway Arts Hub.
The other vital ingredients are the original quality artworks that will be auctioned in between courses – and the convivial company, says Arts Hub committee member Julie Patey.
“We hope that if it’s successful we’ll do it every year,” says Patey ahead of the debut evening event that’s set for Saturday February 15 – starting 6pm with canapés and bubbles on arrival.
Funds raised through this first-time dinner and art auction are earmarked to begin staged work on the hub’s new landscaping plan that includes garden beds, paths, and designated able and disabled parking – “essential” when the venue gets really busy hosting its program of monthly exhibitions, Patey says.
She’s among the many artists whose work has featured at Newstead Railway Arts Hub since it opened in 2015 following the old station’s conversion into the arts and community space it has since become.
“In a town like Newstead, in an area like Castlemaine, it’s essential,” Patey says.
“We’ve got a very good program and it’s been growing every year.
“And we’re not exclusively an art gallery either. We also have community meetings and forums and workshops.”
Dining places at the long evening table will be limited to 60 with local produce featured on a menu that includes free-range chicken, local olives, baby feta and pea pies, mushrooms stuffed with almonds, parmesan and garlic, and almond and chocolate cake.
Artists donating work for auction between courses include David Bromley, Diana Orinda Burns, Darron Davies, Rhyll Plant, David Fraser and Kim Barter.
Art to be auctioned will be displayed on the arts hub website in coming days where prospective diners can also find more about the event and obtain tickets online through Humanitix.
