Historical information

On Monday, the 5th of May 1986, the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria (AFV) held a special fundraising dinner and auction during National Arthritis Week. The Celebrities Dinner was held to fund the foundation's strategic plan for the next three years. In this photo, television newsreader, Jo Pearson, holds up her donation for the auction - an umbrella marked with the text "ROB GELL IS A LIAR". This photo appears on the cover (page 1) of the No 41, August 1986 issue of the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's News Review. It is captioned: "Jo Pearson holding her donation to the Auction. This is the umbrella Jo takes to all her garden parties and outdoor engagements! The umbrella raised $60.00." Rob Gell was a television news weather presenter and, at the time, Jo Pearson's husband. They both worked for Network Ten news.

Physical description

B&W photo of a woman holding up an open dark coloured umbrella. The words "ROB GELL IS A LIAR" have been written on the umbrella in large text. Behind her is a long table covered with a tablecloth. There is a scooter leaning against the table. Behind and above the umbrella, there is a plastic chicken.

Inscriptions & markings

[Typed directly onto the photo in black ink] JO PEARSON HOLDING HER DONATION TO THE AUCTION. THIS IS THE UMBRELLA JO TAKES TO ALL HER GARDEN PARTIES AND OUTDOOR ENGAGEMENTS! THE UMBRELLA RAISED $60.00. [Handwritten in red ink] IC [Handwritten in black ink] 80%