Milestone celebrated with two financial windfalls

November 27, 2024 BY
Stand Like Stone Foundation

Stand Like Stone Foundation celebrates 20 years of giving, raising over $2.3 million for community grants, scholarships, and rural projects.

Earlier this month, 170 supporters from across the region came together at The Barn to celebrate the Stand Like Stone Foundation’s two decades of giving back to the Limestone Coast.

Over those 20 years, more than $2.3 million has been awarded across the Limestone Coast in community grants, scholarships and program support.

Foundation Chair Georgie McKay said the luncheon event was the perfect opportunity for those in attendance to hear the stories of the foundation, from those who have guided the organisation throughout the past 20 years, as well hear from recipients of the foundation’s community grants and educational scholarships.

“We were pleased to have so many of our supporters, sponsors, donors, past and present Directors and Chair’s join us to both acknowledge and of course celebrate the work of many, many people over those 20yrs,” said Mrs McKay.

The keynote speaker for the afternoon was Community Foundation Australia CEO and Olympian Ian Bird, who provided those in attendance with a better understanding of the importance of community foundations, and the critical role foundations will play across Australia going forward.

The afternoon also saw Jamie and Peta Tidy of Naracoorte Seeds present a $15,000 cheque of to Stand Like Stone patron Doug Balnaves.

The donation was for the establishment of a new sub fund with the foundation, to support charitable projects that benefit rural communities and outcomes within the Limestone Coast region.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of local business Naracoorte Seeds,” Mrs McKay said. “They are well known as a generous corporate citizen who support many projects throughout the region and beyond. The sub fund with Stand Like Stone will enable them to direct their charitable giving to projects within the Limestone Coast that are meaningful for them.”

The afternoon’s celebrations culminated in the auction of a significant local wine collection, made available by Robyn Downs and family, on behalf of the late Warwick Downs who passed away in December 2021.

The auction was supported by the combined Rotary Clubs of Mount Gambier and raised more than $16,000, with all proceeds going to the LM Woodruff Memorial educational scholarship sub fund, in support of students undertaking nursing studies.