NF Perth Christmas Auction
Posted at 3:06 PM (PST) on Tuesday, November 30, 2004

"Temperance," a photographic portrait of Gillian Anderson, will be auctioned on eBay. It is an official photograph taken at the July 2004 Dumisani event in London. This canvas is unique as it is a one-off print/the only available print. It has been signed and approved by Gillian herself. To view the auction listing, click here.



All funds raised from the auction will benefit the NF Association in Perth, Australia as well as NfA UK. The work has been donated by the official photographer for Dumisani, Brydie-Lee Sheen, who gives many thanks to all those involved -- especially Roberta Tweedy and Rosemary Anderson -- and wishes everyone a very happy holiday season!

Dumisani Update
Posted at 7:55 PM (PST) on Sunday, November 28, 2004

Dear friends of NfA and Buskaid,

I must apologise to everyone who was involved in Dumisani--the fundraising event Gillian attended that was held in London in July 2004--for not writing earlier to thank you all. I didn't want to drip feed the information so have been waiting for the last little bits of money to come in and can now tell you that the fantastic total of £13,204 was donated through tickets, photographs and gifts.

Buskaid and The Neurofibromatosis Association UK are both very grateful for your support and take this opportunity to thank you all.

I would like to give special thanks to Victoria, Dani, and Louise who were responsible for the decorations of the venue, the tickets and the goody bags; to Brydie who took all the 'official' photographs; to Bev and GAuk for the funds raised by auctioning two tickets to the event; and to Nicole who donated the proceeds--Canadian $3,100--of an auction she held on eBay with items collected from members of the GAGC. Many thanks to them and to all those who joined in the bidding as well.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the eBay auction fundraiser and the Dumisani event. Reports I have had all seem favourable and, who knows, perhaps we can do it again!

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

Roberta Tweedy

Gillian at Amnesty International Event
Posted at 1:07 PM (PST) on Friday, November 26, 2004

Amnesty International's 21st century Victorian Burlesque Extravaganza November 25, 2004
Canvas, Kings Cross Goods Yard London, Great Britain



(Thanks to Carole for the pictures)

From Amnesty International, UK:

'Burlesque' party raises over £100,000 for human rights

Celebrity supporters of Amnesty International last night (25 November) raised over £100,000 for human rights at a gigantic 'Burlesque Ball' held in central London.

The party, a spectacular '21st Century Victorian Burlesque Extravaganza' held at Canvas nightclub, saw notable supporters of the human rights organisation raising money for a new Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, due to open in 2005, as they listened to a performance from chart-topping Natasha Bedingfield.

The partygoers - including Sting, Jade Jagger, Gillian Anderson, Miranda Richardson, Jamie Theakston, Tom Hollander, Mariella Frostrup, Jacquetta Wheeler,
Dan McMillan, Jasmine Guinness, Keith Allen, Fiona Millar, Saffron Aldridge, Siobhan Hewlett, Lisa Butcher, Gina Bellman, Sarah Alexander, Jon Snow, Clemency Burton-Hill, Kelly Hoppen and the Temperley sisters - were joined by over 1,000 other guests to support Amnesty International's work.

Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, said:
"We're thrilled that this very exciting event has proved to be such a successful fundraiser for Amnesty International. Thank you to Joanna Weinberg, Pippa Davies and all of the members of the organising committee for the terrific energy and enthusiasm they put into the burlesque party and for giving up so much of their time on our behalf."

The fundraising party, themed around a recreation of a Victorian burlesque ball, involved trapeze artists, Russian strongmen and jugglers, can-can dancers and cabaret. Money was raised through ticket sales, sponsorship and sideshows such as a tombola, 'pinhole' photo-booth and a silent auction.

Help Peaches and Wankie
Posted at 2:51 PM (PST) on Tuesday, November 16, 2004

From PETA:

Gillian Anderson Pleads With Chicago City Council to Help Peaches and Wankie

November 8, 2004

The Honorable Richard M. Daley
Mayor of Chicago
Office of the Mayor
121 N. LaSalle, Rm. 507
Chicago, IL60602

Dear Mayor Daley,

I was extremely saddened to hear from my friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) about the untimely death of Tatima, an elephant at the Lincoln Park Zoo. It’s a tragedy that Tatima’s final days consisted of upheaval and sorrow—first a traumatic move from warm and sunny San Diego to a much smaller zoo, then a painful leg injury, and finally indoor confinement through a bitterly cold Chicago winter. With so much stress in her life, it’s really no surprise that she became deathly ill.

Please review the enclosed videotape. It shows Tatima a few months after she arrived in Chicago, followed by disturbing footage taken just a few weeks before she died. As you can see, Tatima lost so much weight at the Lincoln Park Zoo that she was skin and bones. It’s obvious from this tape why zoo officials rarely let her outdoors: They did not want the public to see their emaciated elephant limping around the exhibit.

I am appealing to the Chicago City Council to pass a resolution recommending that the Lincoln Park Zoo send its two remaining elephants, Peaches and Wankie, to a sanctuary and that it follow the example of eight other U.S. zoos by closing its elephant exhibit for good. After losing the only home that they’ve known for several decades, Peaches and Wankie have now lost a companion. I hope that you will agree with me that they would be much happier in a sanctuary, where they would have plenty of space to exercise, fresh air in a warmer climate, and other elephant friends to help them cope with their recent loss. As it currently stands, Peaches and Wankie have nothing but cold, lonely days to look forward to. Now is the time to do the right thing by retiring them to a sanctuary and ending their suffering before it is too late for them as well.

I hope that you’ll thoughtfully consider what’s best for these elephants. I thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me through Debbie Leahy, director of PETA’s Captive Exotic Animals Department, at 630-393-9627 or via e-mail at DebbieL@peta.org.

Sincerely,
Gillian Anderson

For more information and to see the video, click here.

Also, Star makes appeal for Lincoln Park elephants, Chicago Sun-Times, November 16, 2004.

Theatregoers' Choice Awards 2005
Posted at 3:22 PM (PST) on Thursday, November 4, 2004

Here's your chance to nominate Gillian for her performance in "The Sweetest Swing in Baseball."

Now into their fifth year, these awards are the only major theatre awards that give you, the audience, the final decision about who and what wins across all 20 categories.

"As we’ve done for the past two years, we're starting our judging process early because, not only do you have the chance to vote for the winners, but also the power to nominate the contenders. Throughout November, we'll be accepting nominations via the form below. The top six contenders in each category will be shortlisted for final voting."

Click here to nominate the contenders.

Gillian at the Oxford Union
Posted at 3:18 PM (PST) on Thursday, November 4, 2004

Gillian is scheduled to speak at the Oxford Union:

Saturday, 27 November, 2004
Location: Debating Chamber
Event starts at 8:30pm

Sad news from HAL
Posted at 3:16 PM (PST) on Thursday, November 4, 2004



Duncan Lomax of HAL has sent us this sad message.

"Paul Gallagher, also known as Raheen of HAL, passed away unexpectedly on October 25th. He was a pivotal member of the group and the driving force behind much of their work, and will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him."

The funeral of Paul Gallagher will take place at Walton Lea Crematorium, Warrington on Tuesday 9th November at 12 O'Clock and afterwards at Walton Hall, Walton Gardens, Warrington.

A trust fund is being set up for Conor and Rosa and you are invited to make a donation rather than bring flowers.

Walton Lea Crematorium, Chester Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 6TB

Walton Hall, Walton Gardens, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, WA4 6SN

We extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Paul Gallagher. May he rest in peace.