Premier headlines homeless fundraiser

ac.care’s major fundraising event, the Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon, celebrated a triumphant return to the calendar this year, raising an impressive sum of nearly $130,000. The business networking and fundraising event took place at The Barn Palais on Friday and aimed to raise funds for ac.care’s essential work in supporting people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in country South Australia. The event’s headline act for 2023 was none other than South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas.

The luncheon, which serves as the region’s premiere business networking event, had faced unfortunate postponement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent cycles of the luncheon in 2020 and 2022 had to be canceled, resulting in a significant loss of potential fundraising for ac.care. The CEO of ac.care, Shane Maddocks, highlighted that the organization lost approximately $250,000 in potential funds that could have been raised, considering the success of the 2018 event that raised $125,000.

Maddocks expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received from businesses and the broader community, both during the luncheon and throughout the year. He emphasized the growing need for support as the cost of living rises and affordable housing becomes scarce in the Limestone Coast, leading more people to seek ac.care’s assistance. The funds raised during the event would be crucial in meeting the increasing demand and fostering collaborations and partnerships with local businesses to further amplify their impact.

With an impressive total of $127,786 raised, every dollar would be dedicated to supporting people at risk of homelessness or those experiencing homelessness. The event’s success has proven to be a game-changer in the lives of hundreds of vulnerable country residents during times of crisis, and ac.care acknowledges that such significant and valued support has been pivotal in making a difference.

The luncheon was originally conceived by the late Barry Maney OAM, and Maddocks expressed pride in continuing the legacy initiated by Maney over ten years ago, bringing businesses together to support ac.care’s essential work. The success of the event was also attributed to the hard work put in by ac.care staff, sponsors, and volunteers, including The Barn, DiGiorgio Family Wines, Coopers, Thomas Foods – Australia, Barry Maney Group, auctioneer Andrew Whan from Miller Whan and John, emcee Di Ind of Limestone Coast Solutions, and guest speaker Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Acknowledging the significance of personal stories, Maddocks thanked individuals who courageously shared their deeply personal experiences of how ac.care played a crucial role in helping them transition from homelessness to a more secure future. He emphasized the collective effort to bring positive change and stability to people’s lives, supporting them in moving from crisis to hopefulness.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, whose visit was centered around the ac.care Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon, made the most of his time in Mount Gambier by engaging with critical local projects and announcing a new policy. During his visit, the Premier toured the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, a multi-million dollar facility that has now become a reality. Additionally, he visited the site of a vital project involving the construction of new public housing in Mount Gambier, aiming to address the housing needs of the community.

Notably, the Premier unveiled the State Government’s Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme during his visit. The scheme aims to provide homes for key workers like teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers, starting with the construction of homes in Mount Gambier. This initiative serves to create a continuous pipeline of homes, ensuring that key workers can be retained in country areas, thus contributing to the overall prosperity and well-being of the region.