At this year’s Bobby Goldsmith Bake Off, Same Same continued its tradition of submitting a cake as an editorial piece, a cake that takes an issue from the last twelve months and lays it bare for all to see.
Last year we looked at the violent, ugly state of Oxford Street, and this year we took another look at the Bobby Goldsmith Glamstand, and how on the eve of the HIV charity’s 25th anniversary they were forced to give half the profits from one of their biggest fundraisers to Mardi Gras.
Same Same’s entry was a non-edible cake called ‘Take Half The Cake And Eat It Too’, and was crafted for us by Sydney ‘creative type’ Daniel Lutton, best known for his amazing party costumes. From the front the cake was a colourful grandstand, bursting with colourful pride flags, neatly roped off with silver chain. On top were two flags flying, which read “Good Times”. Cutting through the middle was a cleaver. Underneath the cake, visible only from behind, were the issues that were tucked away – money, in particular a disco ball made from 5 cent pieces, as well as 25 discarded birthday candles.
The cake raised $400 for BGF and came second in the Best Non-Edible cake category. We asked Daniel to write a few words about the thoughts underpinning his creation.
“Gather round, but please remember your manners and refrain from unwarranted and rude interruptions. If you do need to say something, politely put up your hand and wait patiently to be answered. If you need to go to the toilet just leave and return as quietly as you can. Right, let’s begin.
“So there it is, Take Half the Cake And Eat It Too!, a lovely faux Victoria sponge tiered high up into an assumedly bright sunny sky to form a little grandstand. Atop, I am sure you can see, is the flutter of rainbow and ‘season’ flags, promising good times for all. They’re so lovely aren’t they? A little ‘S’ that lost its way has been lovingly stitched on, just in the nick of time, to remind us all that the tense of time is both present and future, and not lost to the fading past. And just look at that cascade of delicious icing! Yummy, yummy, yummy! Rolls upon rolls of thick sugary splendour blazing in pink, the colour gays, particularly since WWII, have claimed as their own, and the colour of ‘joy’ in the Catholic liturgical tradition no less! If that isn’t pretty enough look at that generous sprinkle of ‘hundreds and thousands’ as bright as perfectly aligned chakras spinning in unison and eliciting the innocence of childhood. You just can’t not think of Fairy Bread when you see ‘hundreds and thousands’ can you? What a simple delight Fairy Bread is! And economical too, but I digress unnecessarily.
“Along the edges a glittering chain fence holds everyone safely on the grandstand so that the ecstatic cheers and collective sway as the parade goes by can be had passionately together. And what a parade! The wit, the irony, the political bight, the creativity, the buoyancy! Such colour, such professionalism, such entertainment! And some of those floats! I tell you! Just look at that parody of the NSW Government! That’s outrageous! And the toll way at Taylor Square is priceless! Wickedly outrageous too. It’s great to see how government funding has been spent to put a bit more spunk into the event. Those gays – they sure know how to vent public disgust upon a lacklustre, despicable government don’t they! Even Piers Ackerman and Miranda Devine will support the use of public monies when they see that! I mean that’s exactly what a Mardi Gras is for, isn’t it?
“They are followed by the Police in perfect unison, buckles shining along with sniffer dogs back-flipping and jumping through hoops all with little rainbow feather boas around their necks. How cute! Oh and there goes Amnesty International, a stalwart in the parade and to all homos around the world to boot. Sure, they had to change their float from what they originally planned, but you have to be careful and sensitive with images these days. It’s pretty silly to use a noose to represent the death penalty especially when candles can have the same impact. Lucky that was spotted early in the piece. The theme is “Good Times” remember. I mean, even with all that pornography, and all those air brushed photos of gorgeous men in lifestyle magazines which aim to instill an overwhelming sense of self esteem and wellbeing in those struggling with their homosexuality, it really is better to be safe than sorry. And if the truth be known, a noose is quite simply very bad taste.
“But I digress unnecessarily. Good times is the theme! All united and supportive of each other, thinking globally too. Ever so lovely! Just look at those fluttering rainbow flags, all the colours are different but are as one.
“So that’s the front all done. Let’s have a quick peep around to see what is out back shall we. I admit it is much less pretty than the front and if I am honest it’s quite a mess! However it is all very, very, very important out there! There you can see the scaffolding. Humble and plain it may be but so strong and resilient with quiet integrity too. Look closely and pay it some attention please, it’s holding the grandstand up, it does so year after year, twenty-one years in fact, creating the vista for all to see. Underneath are piles of money that is needed for all matter of things. There upon the floor to one side is a picture of a mirror disco ball made of 5 cent pieces. It is so shiny and sparkly I can barely look at it, but some of you, I see, can’t seem to take your eyes off it. Oh and look, there in the corner you can see 25 birthday candles for BGF’s twenty-fifth anniversary this year.
“Happy Birthday BGF! And congratulations for all the years of providing and supporting people living with HIV and AIDS in such simple, necessary and loving ways. That’s what has made the good times so truly good.
“And that boys and girls, is the end of the story. Now we can have some cake because it seems there is plenty to go around. However before you do, perhaps you could think of someone else, more needy than yourself at this time, and give your piece to them.”
BGF began when friends of the late Bobby Goldsmith held a party to raise money to look after him when he became too sick to work or care for himself. BGF is still looking for ‘friends’ to financially support the organisation. At any point in time they have some 1400 clients – their youngest client is 8, their oldest is 77, and 90% of their clients live below the poverty line.
To make a donation to BGF click here.
Read our round up of the BGF Bake Off by clicking here.
Take a look at our photos from the BGF Bake Off by clicking here.
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