Grand Easter Exhibition

The 2009 Grand Easter Exhibition of the Yarra Glen Art Show was again held at Balgownie Estate, Yarra Valley.

On another gala opening night (9 April), Steels Creek Art Group Leader Malcolm Calder and Shire of Yarra Ranges Councillor Jeanette McRae opened the exhibition to a crowd of 210 art enthusiasts. On the night, $7900 worth of paintings were sold for a wonderful start.

Cr Jeanette McRae opening the show on 9 April

Judging for the best as inspired by or representing the Yarra Valley

Judges Petra Reece and Isobel Clement evaluated all the entries for the work that best represented the Yarra Valley. They selected three works as being the best in being inspired by or representing the Yarra Valley: "Pathways of Survival", by Margaret McLoughlin, "Sunrise in Dixons Creek", by Denise McArdle, and "Y.V.A.M.", by Peter Allen were judged best of the show in this regard.

The Mt. Evelyn & Districts Bendigo Bank presented a cheque for $3400 to coordinator Yve Hart to help replace banners, signs, and other equipment lost in the February bushfires. In addition, an auction of donated prizes was held and pulled in $2700 to be divided between the Yarra Glen, Dixons Creek and Christmas Hills CFAs.

The show proved to be another crowd pleaser, with hundreds of pieces sold benefitting the The Royal Children's Hospital.

A cheque for $3,154.60 has been sent to the Good Friday Appeal - Royal Children's Hospital. This money was raised directly from cash donations and commission on the sales of paintings. In addition, $845.40 was raised from two 'money boxes' at the entrance to the Art Show which brings the total donated to the GFA-RCH to $4000! Congratulations and thanks to all those involved in making this wonderful event such a success.

Thank you for your participation and support. This year's show had:

Total entries	533
Total attendance:	2,201
Total sales:	$27,888

Commissions raised from the sale of artworks this year are going to The Good Friday Appeal. The common goal of the "Good Friday Appeal" is to raise money for The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, and to ensure that all children with life threatening illnesses receive the best possible medical and clinical care. Past Exhibitions have resulted in over $15,000 being donated to the Good Friday Appeal and LARCH, another fund of the Royal Children's Hospital.