Stand Like Stone Foundation

Inspiring community kindness and courage

Newsletter - March 2024

Celebrating 20 years of service to the Limestone Coast community

Message from our CEO

Well, 2024 is well and truly underway, and since coming back from the Christmas/New Year break, it’s been full on for all the staff and Board.

We started the year off with a new Chair, and a name that our supporters and stakeholders will know well, Georgie McKay. Georgie was the Foundation’s Executive Officer from 2012 through to 2020. It’s certainly great to have Georgie back on deck and we look forward to her enthusiasm, practical knowledge and wealth of experience in the big wide world of community foundations. It’s equally important however to also acknowledge Robert Mock, who stepped down as Chair at our December meeting. Robert has been part of the Foundation since 2012 and we thank him for his service and guidance over the years.

2024 also brings with it a special occasion for us, as we turn 20yrs old later in the year! To say a lot’s happened over those 20yrs would certainly be an understatement, but we’ll have a lot more to say about those 20yrs throughout 2024. However one very important statistic that I will put out to all, and something for all our friends and stakeholders to consider, over those 20yrs Stand Like Stone has been in a position to put back into the local community more than $2.3M in grants, scholarships and program support. I might be a bit bias, but I’m thinking that’s not too bad.

So, I hope everyone has a productive, enjoyable and safe 2024 and I look forward to catching up with many of you throughout the year.    

Roger Babolka, CEO

…..and remember, life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone, kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.

A Year in Review &

Launch of 2023 Annual Report

In November last year we held our annual 22/23 'Year in Review', celebrating the achievements of the Foundation for that year, with over 50 guests in attendance.

The evening started with a short video we had produced about the Foundation. Sally Klose presented a tribute to the late Mr. Thomas Rymill who sadly passed away in September of this year. Thomas Rymill was instrumental in the establishment of the Foundation. Following on from this Robert Mock (Chair) and Roger Babolka (CEO) of Stand Like Stone both gave their reports outlining what the Foundation has achieved over the past 12 months.

We were also fortunate to have Mrs. Catherine Robinson, Chair of the Penola Town Square Working Group who gave an overview of the story behind the 'Generosity of Spirit' Statue that was unveiled in the Penola Town Square back in May.  This event was enjoyed by all those that attended.

A snapshot of 2022/23 achievements 

Annual Spring Small Grants 2023

Late last year we awarded over $107,000 in grants to 18 community-led projects that will help support the region. 

We would like to thank everyone who applied for a grant and congratulations to the following successful recipients.

2023 Successful Grant Recipients:

• Tatiara Men’s Shed - $3,000 to assist with the purchase of a laser engraver and cutter for use by its members    
• Rapid Relief Team Ltd  - $6,500 to  assist with the purchase of a portable stainless-steel hotbox to improve catering services for first responders, charities, and vulnerable individuals    
• Mount Gambier City Band Hall Inc  - $5,000 to assist with the replacement of gutters to the Band Hall and the purchase of music stand carts.
• Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group -  $3,420 to support disadvantaged community members through the provision of wigs, as well as financial support whilst travelling to receive cancer treatment.    
• Glencoe Public Hall - $10,000 to provide support to replace gutters and repair salt damp to the Hall.   
• Millicent Community Access Radio -   $3,000 to assist with the upgrade of critical studio equipment.
• Lucindale Community Economic Development Board Inc. - $6,600 to assist with the installation of signage for walking trails at the 30-acre Loechel Park.    
• Carinya Inc. -  $10,000 to assist with the purchase and installation of solar systems for aged care independent living units in Keith.
• Noorla Yo Long Inc - $9,895 to assist with the purchase of a new lawnmower to assist in reducing the bushfire risk and snake risk across the 20acre outdoor youth education facility at Rendelsham.    
• Penola Pony Club Inc.  -  $2,198to assist with the upgrade of food preparation areas at the Club rooms to ensure food safety and handling standards are maintained.  
• Four Reasons Why - $10,000   to assist with providing relief and funding for 200 families in need over Christmas, with vouchers to enable the purchase of food and toys, as well as enjoy a family fun day at Wulanda.    
• Allendale East Public Hall Inc. - $2,970 to provide assistance with improving accessibility for users of the facility with concreting around the Hall and new shed.   
• The Big Picture Creative Inc.  -  $4,600 to provide funds for an art exhibition to empower, showcase and celebrate the creative talents of disabled artists.
• Penola Coonawarra Music Gathering -  $2,600 to assist with the production and installation of promotional banners and tri-bollards around the local community for the music festival.  
• Coonawarra Community Choir  - $4,000 to provide support to enhance the choir through the provision of vocal coaching and the purchase of equipment. 
• Thumbprint Workshop Inc. -  $7,000 to assist with the purchase of equipment and furniture to allow a wider range of printing techniques to be developed, in comfort and safety.  
• Southend Progress Association Inc.  - $6,600 to assist to improve accessibility of Connie’s Walk, including interpretive signage.    
• Boneham Aged Care Service -  $6,600 to assist with the purchase of a multipurpose hygiene chair to support the carers in performing important services in a caring, safe, and efficient manner.    

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.

"Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our donors, we’re thrilled to be able to continue supporting local students in a variety of ways, whether it’s paying for school fees, assisting with the purchase of course equipment, through to assisting with general living expenses or accommodation costs for students studying away," said Stand Like Stone CEO Mr. Roger Babolka.

One of this year’s successful recipients is Millicent resident Anna-Therese Winkler, whose application embodied the very essence of Stand Like Stone, inspiring courage and determination whilst overcoming life’s challenges.

“Anna-Therese has shown a great deal of determination in taking on part-time work and undertaking part-time study, whilst also dealing with challenging personal health issues of her own, as well as caring for her aging parents. Anna-Therese’s determination to succeed in her chosen field of aged care, and to take on further studies is an inspiration to all”, said Mr. Babolka.

The scholarship will provide Anna-Therese with financial support for her living expenses whilst studying a Bachelor of Dementia Care through the University of Tasmania.

"Our scholarships are all about giving local students the opportunity to thrive so that they, in turn, can make great contributions to our community in the future.” said Mr Babolka.

Mrs McKay is no stranger to the Foundation, holding the position of Executive Officer of Stand Like Stone from 2012 through to 2020, and over the eight years was at the helm of the organisation during a period of significant growth. Mrs McKay had recently returned to the Foundation, taking up a Directors position in the second half of 2023.

Mrs McKay is a member of Impact100 SA, was the 2016 Recipient of the Australian Community Philanthropy Award for Excellence & Achievement and a former Non-Executive Director and Treasurer of Community Foundations Australia, the peak body for Community Foundations in Australia

“I am honoured to be appointed as the fourth Chair of the Stand Like Stone Foundation and I am looking forward to working with both the Board and the Executive team to grow the foundation for the Limestone Coast community. I’ve had the privilege of working under previous Chairs Sue Charlton AM and Bill DeGaris, and more recently having sat on the Board with retiring Chair Robert Mock. I hope to draw from their exceptional leadership and bring renewed energy & strategic focus. It’s an exciting time for Stand Like Stone and I can’t wait to get things underway” says Mrs McKay.

“We certainly know Georgie has a wealth of knowledge and experienced in the philanthropic sector, but Georgie also brings to the Foundation strong technical understanding and practical experience in the operation of community Boards. It's also appropriate that we take time to acknowledge efforts and commitment of the retiring Chair, Robert Mock. Robert was with the Foundation for over 10 years and will certainly be missed, but I know he’ll continue to be a strong advocate for the Foundation”, said Mr Babolka.

Farewell to our Retiring Directors

• Chris Williams – Owner & Operator of Chris Williams Painting and Life Member of South Gambier Football Club – raising funds for the Mental Health & Wellbeing Limestone Coast Sub Fund;

• Nathan McCarthy – Livestock Agent at Elders Lucindale – raising funds for the Lucindale Area School Sub Fund.

• Cory O’Connor – Penola High School Teacher – raising funds for the Penola Coonawarra Wellbeing Sub Fund.

• Tyler Michielan – Electrician at Godrik Construction & Electrical and International Soccer Player – raising funds for the Stand Like Stone Foundation General Sub-Fund.

• Bec Hurst – Registered Nurse and Farmer’s Wife from Robe - raising funds for the Poppy Crozier Memorial Scholarship Sub-Fund.

• Ella Boston – Naracoorte-based 2023 school graduate and SSO at Naracoorte High School – raising funds for the Naracoorte & Districts Sub-Fund

• Shekinah Horsburgh – Grant High School Teacher and Mount Gambier Theatre Group member– raising funds for the Grant High School Student Scholarship Sub Fund.

• Kezia Feast – Teacher at Allendale East Area School & Glenburnie Primary School – raising funds for the Steven Noble Memorial Sub Fund.

"We are so excited to have such a diverse and committed group of Stars from all across the Limestone Coast and are super keen to follow their progress!", said Donna Jaeschke, chair of the SWTS committee.

Friends of Stand Like Stone!

We would like to thank the following who have joined us in becoming our Friend this financial year.

• Stephanie Brooker-Jones
• Vicki Osborne
• Sally Klose
• Robert & Glenda Mock
• Jenny Tilbrook & Ashley Cook
• Carol Kay
• Justine Drew
• Woodstock Partners
• Deb & Graeme Paschke
• Malcolm & Heather Lambert
• Scott & Alicia Forbes
• Sue Page
• James & Georgie McKay
• Doug Balnaves
• Bordertown Rotary Club

Meet our Board

Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters

Sponsorship 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 Financial Year.

• Trans Australian Livestock and Freight Management
• City of Mount Gambier Council
• Noel Barr Toyota
• Ray Scott Pastoral Company
• Tatiara District Council
• Robe District Council
• District Council of Grant
• Kingston District Council
• Wattle Range Council

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

• Sinclair Wilson
• Galpins
• Hello Friday
• Green Triangle Electronics
• Sam Sinclair at Jim's Pest Control
• RW & DD Gabriel Electrical Contractors

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.