Stand Like Stone Foundation

Inspiring community kindness and courage

Message from our New CEO, Roger Babolka

A warm welcome to our latest newsletter with lots to update you on.

Hello everyone and welcome to our first newsletter for 2022.

Since commencing with this fantastic organisation back in January this year, I’ve been amazed at the scope of activities across this region that the Stand Like Stone team have been kept busy with.

So far in 2022 we’ve offered over 30 scholarships to Limestone Coast students, handed out $46,000 in FRRR Back to School vouchers, announced the successful grant recipients for the annual $50,000 Stand Like Stone & OneFortyOne Partnership grants program, awarded a further $45,000 for 14 community-led projects across the Limestone Coast, as well as getting the annual Swinging with the Stars event up and running.

All these wonderful and truly valuable activities only happen because of continued support we receive from individuals, organisations and industry from across the region. Whether it’s through sponsorships, donations, volunteering, or just spreading the word, every bit of support enables this organisation to make a real and meaningful difference to those in need across the Limestone Coast. In short, we couldn’t do it without you!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of my predecessor Anne Kerr, who stepped down as CEO just prior to Christmas last year.

As always, our newsletter provides an opportunity to share stories of kindness and courage from across the region, and we hope wherever you are reading this, you and the people you care about are safe and well.

Annual Small Grants support 14 charitable projects across the region

Australian Red Cross - Driver Mentor Program in the Upper Limestone Coast

We have recently awarded over $45,000 in grants for 14 community-led projects that will help support this region. Projects are varied and include assisting with food support and essential personal supplies, through to driver education for regional students and improvements for community facilities in Allendale East, Penola and Naracoorte to name a few.

We’d like to thank everyone who applied for a grant and congratulate the successful projects. At the end of the day, it’s thanks to our sponsors, donors, supporters, and grant applicants that we can realise our vision of inspiring community kindness and courage.

2021 Successful Community Grant Projects:

Riding for the Disabled Mt Gambier ($1,500)
The Tatiara Men’s Shed Inc ($3,800)
Kingston Small Steps ($5,000)
Padthaway Primary School ($3,155)
Beachport Surf Life Saving Club ($2,530)
Australia Red Cross ($10,000)
Donovan’s Recreational Advisory Committee Inc ($1,100)
Frances Progress Society ($2,710)
Moorak Public Hall Inc. ($2,450)
Penola Festival Association ($3,450)
Millicent Flexible Learning Centre ($394)
Fringe Mount Gambier, auspiced by City of Mt Gambier ($6,500)
Joanna Hall ($1,630)
Keith Hospital ($1,158)

Limestone Coast students provided with scholarships for study in 2022

We were delighted to offer over 30 scholarships to students right across the Limestone Coast to help with the costs of study in 2022.

Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we are thrilled to be able to support local students in a variety of ways, from primary school music lessons through to accommodation fees for university.

"These important scholarships can and do make a difference to students in their quest for furthering their education. In short, the scholarships are made possible due to the generosity of the local community in support of local students,” said CEO Roger Babolka.

Our new giving initiative - Become our Friend!

We have launched a new giving initiative, the Friends of Stand Like Stone, which we’re very excited about.

We want to help more people become a local philanthropist for the community they love, so we are inviting people and organisations to sign up as a Friend for $500 per year (or $42.50 per month).

Donations are tax deductible and 100% of your donation stays in the Limestone Coast, helping a community you love today, as well as leaving money for tomorrow. We will pool the Friend money to help with our operational costs, establish a Friends sub fund and provide an annual grant to the region.

The inaugural Friends Champion Grant is now open . We are offering a champion grant of up to $3600 which is open to not for profit groups located in, or providing services to the Limestone Coast. Details about the grant is available on our website. www.standlikestone.com.au

Each Friend will be able to vote on their favourite project to support which the Board will take into account when making its final decision.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you, or someone you know, is looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Limestone Coast and become our Friend!

We would like to thank Keith Apex Club, Bordertown Veterinary Clinic, Stephanie Brooker-Jones, Amherst Livestock Trust, Sally Klose, Robert & Glenda Mock, Jenny Tillbrook & Ashley Cook, Carol Kay, Justine Drew, Sunnyside Instant Lawn, SEA Gas, SE Fresh Produce and Woodstock Partners for signing up as our Friends for 21-22 FY.

2022 Swinging with the Stars

Save the date……Saturday 18th June 2022. 8 locals Stars will take to the dance floor showcasing the 4 dances they have been learning over the last several weeks. As well as learning the dance moves, the stars have been busy hosting fundraisers, to raise funds for their nominated sub funds.

Tickets are $120/ person (plus booking fees) and are available from https://www.trybooking.com/BZEXA

Stars for 2022

2022 FRRR Back to School Program - helping students across the Limestone Coast

Allendale East Area School Principal, Kylie Smith, Stand Like Stone CEO, Roger Babolka & Allendale East Area School Assistant Principal, Susie Mitchell

Stand Like Stone Director, Rhett McDonald & Naracoorte Primary School Principal, Lucy Possingham

The FRRR Back to School program helps remote and rural children and young people to engage in learning and strengthen their educational outcomes by providing vouchers to those in need. The vouchers are more than a gift. The program is about social inclusion and resilience, building confidence, dignity, and morale in disadvantaged young people.

Stand Like Stone have been part of the FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) Back to School program since 2005, helping students and their families who are experiencing challenges with the costs of going back to school.

The program provides schools with $50 vouchers that can be used for items such as school uniforms, clothing, shoes, school bags and stationery items. This year we distributed 920 vouchers to 40 schools across each of the 7 council areas of the Limestone Coast, thanks to funding from FRRR as well as donations from the public.

Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters

Sponsor partners play a critical role in helping with our operational costs so that we can ensure more money from donations goes directly back into our local community.

We are privileged to be supported by a wide range of people and organisations through their financial and in-kind support.

We’d like to say a massive thank you to our financial sponsors for this year.

City of Mount Gambier Council
Noel Barr Toyota
Ray Scott Pastoral Company
Tatiara District Council
Robe District Council
District Council of Grant
Kingston SE Council
Wattle Range Council
Naracoorte Lucindale Council

We’d also like to say a massive thank you to our in-kind sponsors for this year.

Sinclair Wilson
Hello Friday
Green Triangle Electronics
Galpins
Caffe Belgiorno

Connecting with the Stand Like Stone Foundation
There are many ways local people can get involved with our work:

Give: Donations to the Foundation, large or small are welcome. Give and support your local community.

Volunteer: Want to give your skills to help progress the work of the Foundation? Contact Roger for further information.

Leave a legacy: Sometimes the biggest gift is the one we never see - a gift in your will means a lasting impact for the places and causes you care about.

Got more to tell us? We'd love you to stay in touch and hear about your feedback and ideas. Email us at info@standlikestone.com.au or pick up the phone and call (08) 7701 9259.