“The response has been extraordinary” said an emotional Annie today, “I think the momentum will continue to build”
Renowned chef, cook, gardener and DMP member, Annie Smithers has auctioned herself of to the highest bidder to raise funds for The Florey Institute to help them continue their research into Parkinsons Disease. Congratulations to Amanda Minns who was the successful bidder! Don’t despair if you missed out, Annie tells us that she will be doing this again next year and probably every two out of three years from now on.
“The response has been extraordinary” said an emotional Annie today, “I think the momentum will continue to build”
It’s all for a cause that is close to Annie’s heart. Annie’s father was one of the 80,000 people to suffer from Parkinson’s disease in Australia. He passed two years ago this Christmas and Annie is celebrating his life by offering her love of food to make another family’s Christmas stress free and an event to remember.
The menu is a celebration of all our region has to offer and features generous donations from our members. “The response from our DMP membership and our region has been overwhelming,” says Annie, “I can’t thank them enough.”
Sher Wagyu and Warialda Beef, charcuterie from Piper Street Food Company, bread from Red Beard bakery, chickens from Milking Yard Farm, Monsieur Pierre, Michel’s Fine Biscuits, wine by Eastern Peake Vineyard and McIvor Pork among others have all contributed to make this a Christmas to remember.
All profits will go to the The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, one of the world’s leading brain research centres, to help further brain and neurological research and their essential work on neuroscience and brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’d like to know more about the Florey Institute click here.
Read Annie’s delightful piece on the trials and tribulations of Christmas from the other side of the pass featured in The Age here.
WRITTEN BY KATE PARRY
