Marking two decades of helping the community

STAND Like Stone Foundation celebrated 20 years of community impact at a special event earlier this month at Mount Gambier City Hall.

More than 80 supporters, beneficiaries and community members joined the launch of the 2024/25 Annual Report, 2026 Back to School appeal and the foundation’s new website.

Stand Like Stone continued to deliver community impact with $186,802 in grants, scholarships and program support across the Limestone Coast during 2024/25.

Highlights included:

• $92,640 in educational scholarships awarded to 42 local students, helping them pursue studies across South Australia and interstate.

• $73,852 in community grants supporting 17 projects, from mental health initiatives to arts programs and aged care innovations.

• $17,850 in Back to School vouchers, ensuring more than 350 children started the school year with dignity and confidence.

• Friends Champion Grant of $2460 to Abbeyfield House Mount Gambier for raised garden beds promoting wellbeing.

Swinging with the Stars also delivered a record $211,000, with Adam ‘Hoggett’ Merrett raising $78,000 to win the People’s Choice award and Brody Virgo judged the winner on the dancefloor.

Chair Georgia McKay said 2025 was about reflection and renewal.

“We honoured our founders’ vision while embracing bold plans for the future and the generosity of our community continues to inspire us,” she said.

With net assets growing 11% to $6.46 million in the 2025 financial year, Ms McKay said Stand Like Stone was well-positioned to deepen its long-term support for education, equity and resilience – and to build on its community-led approach to lasting impact.

The event featured the launch of the Stand Like Stone Community Charity Trust, which unlocks new possibilities for local giving.

Stand Like Stone is one of the first four community foundations in Australia and first in a regional area endorsed under the new Community Charity category, receiving Item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1) status and establishing the new trust.

This historic reform enables the Foundation to attract donations from Public and Private Ancillary Funds and grant to a wider range of local charitable causes – accelerating impact across the Limestone Coast.

CEO Jason Wallace said this reform unlocked new possibilities for giving in the Limestone Coast .

“It strengthens our ability to support grassroots initiatives, work with local leadership and grow generosity across our region,” he said. “Establishing the Community Charity Trust means we can attract more diverse philanthropic funding to deliver positive outcomes for our communities.”

Hayley Blazseka spoke on behalf of Nurtured Village Limestone Coast about how the Village of Support – made possible through a Stand Like Stone grant – had become a lifeline for families by removing financial and logistical barriers to connection at regular gatherings for parents of young children.

Since launching, the program has welcomed more than 220 mothers and 320 children, with 86% of attendees reporting stronger connections to community and the Nurtured Village.

“The Village of Support feels like a warm hug – a safe space where mums can connect and kids can play without barriers. For many families, this is the first step out of isolation,” Hayley said. “We’ve had moms tell us they couldn’t afford outings like this, and now they’re building friendships and confidence. Seeing grandparents join in and hearing stories like ‘I wish this existed when I had postpartum depression’ shows the power of a small grant to create lasting impact.”

Jess Tresidder, a former scholarship recipient turned donor, spoke about the ripple effect of community philanthropy – how scholarships opened pathways to study and opportunity, and why she now gives back to help the next generation.

“Growing up regionally, you see so many young people with big dreams but limited opportunities,” Jess said. “My scholarships gave me the confidence to study, move to Adelaide and experience things I never imagined possible. Now I can give back – to help another young person achieve their dream. For me, giving back through Stand Like Stone just feels right. It’s my way of saying thank you.”

The event featured the launch of the 2026 Back to School appeal to help local kids start school strong.

The program provides $50 vouchers to help vulnerable families purchase uniforms, shoes, stationery and school bags – the basics every child needs to feel included and ready to learn.

Vouchers are provided directly to public schools across the Limestone Coast for distribution by principals and wellbeing teams to deliver targeted support where it is needed most.

The foundation aims to raise more than $30,000 to support 600 students.

Stand Like Stone also unveiled its new website at www.standlikestone.com.au, featuring photographs of the Limestone Coast by Ockert Le Roux.

The annual celebration was hosted at Mount Gambier City Hall and sponsored by the City of Mount Gambier. Catering was provided by Tenison Hospitality Academy.