STAND Like Stone Foundation has announced the eight Stars who will take to the dancefloor for Swinging with the Stars 2026.<\/p>\n
The beloved Limestone Coast event pairs local personalities with trained dancers for a night of courage, community and celebration, with all funds staying in the Limestone Coast.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Stars are Fiona Unger (Mount Gambier), Linda Carter (Beachport), Justine Drew (Naracoorte), Meg Malseed (Wandilo), Phil Ackland (Mount Gambier), Tom Williams (Mount Gambier), Will Limbert (Naracoorte) and Jack Lane (Millicent).<\/p>\n
They began dance rehearsals at the weekend in preparation for the major Limestone Coast charity event at The Barn Palais on Saturday, June 27.<\/p>\n
Together they have stepped into four months of dance rehearsals and committed to fundraising to vie for both the People\u2019s Choice award for the highest tally and overall Swinging with the Stars winner on the dancefloor.<\/p>\n
Stand Like Stone chairperson Georgie McKay said Swinging with the Stars was powered by courage, generosity and community spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year our Stars remind us what\u2019s possible when local people step forward for a cause that supports the Limestone Coast \u2013 we can\u2019t wait to see what this year\u2019s dancers bring to the stage,\u201d Ms McKay said.<\/p>\n
Stand Like Stone\u2019s major showcase fundraiser will again be supported by Ray White Mount Gambier as event sponsor, continuing their commitment to the region.<\/p>\n
Training for this year\u2019s Stars will be led by Tamara Kilsby and assistant Jade Charlton of Envy Dance Studio, returning as the event choreographers.<\/p>\n
Stand Like Stone CEO Jason Wallace said this event changes lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cFunds raised through Swinging with the Stars stay right here in the Limestone Coast supporting grants and scholarships that create real opportunities for our communities,\u201d Mr Wallace said. \u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful to our 2026 Stars for saying yes and backing the region in such a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets for Swinging with the Stars 2026 will go on sale in early May. Follow Stand Like Stone on social media or visit www.standlikestone.com.au for updates.<\/p>\n
Meet the 2026 Stars<\/strong><\/p>\n Fiona Unger (partnered with Andrew Lockwood)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for the Barrie Holmes Memorial Sub-Fund Fiona is a registered nurse, live music performer and Generations in Jazz Board member who believes deeply in the power of sport to shape young people\u2019s lives through confidence, resilience and connection. With a competitive streak and a long history of tennis, motorbikes, karate, horse riding and gymnastics, she jokes that plenty of sprains and broken bones over the years mean that ice packs may be required.<\/p>\n Linda Carter (partnered with Toby Riley)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for the Beachport Sub-Fund Linda is a mental health social worker and volunteer ambulance officer living in Beachport who is thrilled to join an \u201cincredible fundraiser\u201d and is looking forward to learning to dance properly, meeting new people and having fun. Born and raised in Ireland, she shares that both her parents are good jivers and she hopes some of their moves have rubbed off.<\/p>\n Justine Drew (partnered with Joshua Dobbe)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for the Naracoorte Seeds Sub-Fund Justine, a disaster recovery manager with PIRSA, has long admired the event\u2019s energy and the courage of past dancers. She was motivated by the opportunity to support the newly established Naracoorte Seeds Sub-Fund, which aligns closely with her work in resilience and wellbeing. Known for embracing adventurous challenges \u2013 from True Grit to trekking in Nepal \u2013 she is ready for what she describes as another uncomfortable but exciting experience.<\/p>\n Meg Malseed (partnered with Adam Smith)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for the Grant High School Sub-Fund Meg, a youth worker from Wandilo, wants to show her daughter that anything is possible and that it\u2019s worth trying something new even when it feels scary. She is passionate about helping families who truly need support and is excited to take on the challenge. Born on New Year\u2019s Day, Meg brings enthusiasm and purpose to her fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n Phil Ackland (partnered with Jemma Jarnevic)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for sub-fund to be determined Phil is a team leader at Limestone Coast Ability and a strong advocate for inclusion. As founder of Mount Gambier parkrun and organiser of Tower Trail Run and Cave Run, Phil is accustomed to encouraging others but is now stepping into the spotlight himself. He is raising funds to support people in the Limestone Coast to overcome barriers to participation and achieving their dreams. A community photographer and former DJ and musician, Phil says that persistence is on his r\u00e9sum\u00e9 \u2013 dancing is not.<\/p>\n Tom Williams (partnered with Shanna Locker)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dancing for the Stand Like Stone General Fund Tom, a sheep farmer, believes that anything equal parts fun and charitable \u201chas to be a good thing\u201d and jokes that this may be his last chance to discover whether a dance career awaits. Tom brings a lively household to the journey with three sons and fifteen dogs and is looking forward to contributing to Stand Like Stone\u2019s broad impact across the region.<\/p>\n