Melbourne got the “Goldie” touch last week, and we couldn’t have been more excited when we heard that Events To The Stars were bringing Hollywood Icon, Goldie Hawn to host an Exclusive Fundraiser Luncheon and a Night of Laughs! We immediately looked back on some of our favourites with Goldie, especially Overboard, First Wives Club, Housesitter and Private Benjamin just to name a few.
The Leadership luncheon with Goldie was inspirational, which was supporting her Hawn Foundation. Goldie has spent the last 14 years working with a team of educators, neuroscientists, and psychologists to develop her Mind Up program. A product of The Hawn Foundation, Mind Up is designed to help children learn to focus and control themselves, including through meditation. The program is currently used in Australian primary schools as part of a wider movement towards mindfulness and meditation to improve focus.
“Children take to meditation like a duck to water,” Goldie says. “The brain is like any other muscle, it needs to be trained – and less-stressed children make for calmer, well-balanced adults.” A true practitioner of what her foundation preaches, Ms. Hawn has written three books, 10 Mindful Minutes and its follow up journal, and A Lotus Grows in the Mud, both of which reveal the incredibly insightful side to this effervescent lady. Some of the VIP guests included Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis (Professor of Pscychology and world leading cognitive neuroscientist), Con Stough (Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Anthony Field, AM (the blue Wiggle, Scott Chapman (CEO of the Royal Flying Doctors) and Dr Sally Cockburn.
Goldie Hawn is a true inspiration and we discovered this when she spoke so openly at The Regents Theatre during her “Night of Laughs” live show which was hosted by the funny & fabulous Peter Helliar. Growing up in her late teens, she thought her life would have marriage, children & the white picket fence and running her dance school. She had no idea that she would take Hollywood by storm, as she always considered herself a dancer. When she spoke about dancing, Kurt, her children (Kate & Oliver) and her grandchildren, her whole face lit up, and the room filled with love, and she really is the doting and down-to-earth family person.
Peter Helliar asked her many questions about her famous movies, and we all got to reminisce (including Goldie) as they showed clips on the big screen that she actually hadn’t seen for a very long time, and brought a tear to her eye, as the memories started rushing back. Private Benjamin was a happy & sad time for Goldie, as it was the end of her marriage but also the beginning of her career. She spoke quite a lot about her partner Kurt Russell who she has been with for 33 years, and how they are currently renovating their house and all of the issues that we all face with renovations. Goldie & Kurt would be more than welcome to “house-sit” at our place while their house is being completed.. haha!
Goldie was asked who her favourite actor was to work with, and of course there were too many to choose from, but Mel Gibson got a special mention with her filming Bird on a Wire, and she has remained close friends ever since, as do her family as both Kurt & Kate are set to star in “The Barbary Coast” series directed by Mel. As the evening wrapped up, they had a special surprise for Goldie. In 1970 she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Role Cactus Flower (1969) and as Goldie wasn’t present at the time to accept her award, our very own Bert Newton came out on stage and re-enacted the presentation, and it was quite hilarious and took her by surprise. Obviously they didn’t have the real Oscar but did present Goldie with flowers.
We were honoured to have the gorgeous Pettitfleur from Real Housewives of Melbourne sit next to us in the audience, and you could tell that everyone absolutely enjoyed the show! Goldie is passionate, empathetic, nurturing soul who loves to dance, and she really captivated the audience and it’s impossible not to love this amazing woman!
The VIPS got a terrific goodies pack and also got to stay behind for a photo opportunity and a quick meet & greet, which is something we will never ever forget. Bucket List √ – It was an opportunity of a lifetime.
We can’t wait to find out who they are bringing out next as part of the Hollywood Legendary series early next year. To find out firsthand about these upcoming events headed up by the fabulous Connie Paglianiti, visit Events To The Stars and La Dolce Italia websites.
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Credit to photographer Jim Lee
Click here for more information about MindUP!
Jennifer and Michaela are BrisVegas socialites who have their finger on the pulse of the social and fashion scene. Connect with them below on their individual profiles.
