GOGO events, The Big Issue & the Big Lunch
GOGO events is a supporter of the Big Issue in Australia. The Big Issue is a street magazine sold by marginalised and disadvantaged persons on the streets of our major and regional cities. The sale of the magazines provides income and employment for the sales vendors and also supports the Women’s Enterprise Subscriptions scheme in the management of the magazines subscriptions.
Each year since 2010 GOGO events has supported the Big Issue Lunch (see photos). I am on the event committee and GOGO events works with the TBI staff to create the décor for this event which is held in the iconic Adelaide Central Market. Food is donated by the Central Market vendors and fine dining service is provided by the experienced team at the Hilton Adelaide. This year Lloyd Cremer the executive chef at the Hilton Adelaide dished up sumptuous food to 330 guests while 7 of Adelaide’s newest upcoming artists produced beautiful works around the guests.
And then Garfield, one of the magazines vendors was interviewed by Amanda Blair (another great supporter of TBI). Adelaide food blogger Bree May summed up the day with this:
“The highlight for me though, was the guest speaker, a vendor called Garfield. Look, anyone named Garfield, already has my vote… but add to this, his inspiring and tear-jerking personal story. It reminded every single one of us, exactly why we were there. There was not a dry eye in the house, while hearing from this amazing person about his extraordinary life. Please, purchase the latest Big Issue to read about Garfield’s story, and I promise you will never walk past another vendor in the street again without buying a copy of this remarkable magazine.
All, in all, the food was fantastic, the atmosphere joyous, and the company, exceptional. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday? I think not. I for one, can’t wait till next year, but in the meantime like undoubtedly every other diner there, I will get my fortnightly Big Issue fix by subscribing to the magazine, and helping in the best way I know how, by showing my support and getting a damn good read at the same time”.
