Toad News

November 2005

FROM KAKADU TO THE KIMBERLEY
A FUNDRAISING ART EXHIBITION TO STOP THE TOAD

In November 2005, the first major fund-raiser for Stop the Toad was held at Challen & Rafferty Gallery in Subiaco. It was a hugely successful event that raised community awareness and generated significant funds. Guests arrived to guitar playing by eighteen year old Emlyn Johnson singing his “Stop the Toad” arrangement.

	The MC for the evening, Dr Peter Dingle, introduced Patron Tim Winton and conservationist, Malcolm Douglas, who spoke passionately about the need to take immediate action to Stop the Toad from entering WA. Stop the Toad Foundation Patron, Tim Winton, gratefully accepts a cheque from students at Kingsway Christian College while Malcolm Douglas and Peter Dingle look on.
Barwicks Estates launched their Stop the Toad Wine and tested the merry crowd, many of whom left the gallery with Stop the Toad Wine packs under their arms. Order wine here - support Stop The Toad Andrew Rohrbach from Barwicks Estates proudly presents the first Stop the Toad Cabernet Sauvignon.
	A Toad Auction was held during the evening with brightly painted Toad sculptures and Toad Wine signed by Luc Longley, Tim and Malcolm, proving to be popular with bidders.   Punk Toad sculpture by Leon Pericles
Kelly Wordsworth-Smith breezed in with her husky rendition of “Stop the Toad” and Speed-painter, Colin Atkins, amazed an enthusiastic crowd who milled around his easel outside the gallery, with his skill and humour. In just 15 minutes the blank canvas was transformed into a Kimberley scape, and just as quickly was snapped up by an excited art lover. Peter Dingle calls out “Yes, he’s finished” as a glass is raised to Speed painter, Colin Atkins on completion of his “Kimberley Dream” painting.
	The Artists, inspired by the regions depicted in their paintings, and about 400 people in attendance, all learnt something about the Cane Toad and the Kimberley to take back to their friends, family and colleagues   Kissing Frogs? Well there’s one in every crowd!