Taking a step back in time

FIONA Unger and Marie Holmes usually join forces to create quality cabaret shows and memorable musical performances but they are now joining forces as fundraising gurus for the Stand Like Stone Foundation through the Barrie Holmes Memorial Scholarship Sub Fund.

Not surprisingly, given the Holmes family’s inextricable links to sport and music in the region, Fiona, who is one of the eight ‘stars’ preparing for the 2026 Swinging with the Stars, and Marie have put together a sports themed night that also includes music.

The Sports Rewind @ The Barn is on Saturday. May 23, and will include live music, games and supper and most importantly a walk back in time with retro sportswear the dress code.

There is no better time to get out your vintage basketball singlets, old leotards, parachute silk pleated netball skirts or anything that is a trip down memory lane in your sporting career.

Anthony Holmes has also been front and square of organising the retro event given the family sub fund is all about giving opportunities to young people through sport.

The establishment of the sub fund stems back to some of the original Tenison Woods College Titans Basketball US Tours.

“One of the US coaches asked how we pick our teams and we said everyone gets to go but then we realised some kids don’t go because they can’t afford it,” Anthony said. “So we started to think about how we could support kids to get these kind of opportunities so we startdd helping kids at Tenison but then decided we were talking to Bill De Garis about the Stand Like Stone Foundation and decided to set up the sub fund in dad’s name and that way we could help more kids.

“We realised some kids can’t even afford a pair of footy boots and so this was a way to help kids at all levels of sport have the chance to get involved.”

Marie and Anthony’s brother Stephen was the first to take to the dance floor to raise funds for the Barrie Holmes Memorial Scholarship Sub Fund and Liza Couzens also tripped the light fantastic to boost the coffers and now Fiona, who has a strong background in gymnastics, tennis and karate, will look to employ some fancy footwork while raising funds for the family cause.

“I’ve been involved in sport forever so when the family was happy for me to represent them I was happy to give it a go,” Fiona said. “It is so important to get kids involved in sport.”

Marie and Anthony are basically heading up a small committee of supporters getting behind Fiona’s fundraising and this major event will form a huge part of those efforts.

“We started thinking about the old Ballroom Blitz events and then weaved the sports theme into it and that is how we came up with the Sports Rewind @ The Barn,” Marie said. “There is no event like it and we saw it as a good way to bring all sporting clubs and groups together to support a great cause.

“This is a celebration of sport and to raise money for kids.”

The organisers have also teased some special mystery guests – former locals who have gone on to bigger and better things in the sporting sphere.

“And the sub fund is not just about kids that might be set to achieve greatness, it’s about kids who just want the chance to have a go and need some help,” Marie said.

Tamara Seeley and her band will provide some stellar entertainment with popular MC Jason Scheidl taking charge of the night and there will be other fundraising opportunities on the night, including the chance to win a dinner for four with newly minted Member for Mount Gambier Travis Fatchen.

“The support from local business has been amazing, including C & G, Steeline and Redgum Country,” Marie said. “People have really got behind it.

“We are actually hoping it will become an annual event and we can get sports groups to take over the logistics – it is a fundraiser and a celebration.”

Tickets are $60 a head an available (cash only) at Forty Winks or you can head online to www.trybooking.com/DLDSO