Stand Like Stone Foundation

Inspiring community kindness and courage

Newsletter - May 2023

Message from our CEO, Roger Babolka

To say it’s been a busy few months here at the Foundation would definitely be an understatement.

Since our February newsletter we’ve been able to distribute $75,000 in scholarships to 30 students across the Limestone Coast, supported 40 schools with 1,000 $50 FRRR Back-to-School vouchers totaling of $50,000, and in our 10^th year of partnering with OneFortyOne, supported another 5 important local projects with $50,000 in community grants. If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also been busily working with and supporting this year’s 8 fantastic Stars for the 2023 Swinging with the Stars event, to be held on Saturday June 17^th at the Barn. It’ll be another great night, so I encourage you book your tickets soon as you won’t want to miss out on an evening full of spectacular dancing and entertainment, great food and a lot of fun.

The Foundation has been fortunate enough to be supported by a number of very generous sponsors over the years. Earlier this year however we welcomed on-board a new sponsor, Trans Australian Freight, a Lucindale based business that commenced operations back in 1986. So a big thanks to Trans Australian Freight’s Managing Director Damian Thornhill and his great team for supporting the Foundation in helping to create a more prosperous Limestone Coast community.

On a final note, we’re on the look-out for like-minded individuals who want to give back to their community. We’re looking to add to our volunteer Board and are keen to hear from those who have a passion for the Limestone Coast, and have skills that will add value to the organisation. So, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the Foundation for more information.

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

Key Dates to Remember...............

Swinging with the Stars tickets on sale from 8th May
Friends of SLS Champion Grants Open 15th May, closes 26th June
Swinging with the Stars Event - 17th June 2023
Annual Small Grants open 15th September, closes 31st October
Educational Scholarship Round opens 15th September, closes 30th November

2023 Swinging with the Stars

On Saturday 17th June 2023 8 locals Stars will take to the dance floor showcasing 3 styles of dance they have been learning over the last few weeks. As well as learning the dance moves, the stars have been extremely busy hosting fundraisers, to raise funds for their nominated sub funds. Who will be this years 'People's Choice' winner??

Donations can be made by clicking https://standlikestone.com.au/swinging-with-the-stars-2023/

Tickets are $130/ person (plus booking fees) and are available from https://www.trybooking.com/CGOYK

Meet our Stars

Friends of Stand Like Stone Champion Grant Round - NOW OPEN

The Friends of Stand Like Stone Champion Grant opened on Monday 15th May. Organisations can apply for a grant of up to $3,200 for a charitable project that benefit the Limestone Coast communities. Applications close 5.00pm Monday 26th June 2023.

For more information about applying, please visit our website www.standlikestone.com.au

OneFortyOne / Stand Like Stone

Annual Grants 2023

This is the 10th year that Stand Like Stone has partnered with One Forty One to deliver an annual granting program which provides funding to community projects throughout the Limestone Coast.

We have recently awarded $50,000 in grants to 5 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.

Tatiara District Council: $6,720 - The Social Kitchen project will provide coordination expertise and ingredients for a monthly meal to be cooked by the Social Group youth team. This meal provides opportunities to build relationships, connection and understanding across the dinner table for the youth of the Tatiara.
Naracoorte District Men's Shed Inc. $7,280 - These funds will be used for the fit out of the new shed including electrics, plumbing, firefighting equipment, work benches & specialised engine handling equipment.
Substance Misuse Limestone Coast: $19,000 - SMLC will host a regional summit interrogating the gap in service to AOD users with a co-occurring mental health condition. Currently, local people are denied access to both services. Thus, people fall between a service gap in systems due to structural barriers acting against evidence-based practice models in relation to recovery.
#matessavingmates Inc.: $7,000 - A community bus has been purchased for use in the Padthaway region. Funds will be used to assist with costs associated with the operation of the bus.
OSCA - Open Space Contemporary Arts.: $10,000 - Kingston Weaving is a community art project by the Boandik artists Sonya, Sarah and Suzy Smith. Funding will support the first stage weaving and yarning workshops in Kingston. The project aims to raise awareness of the natural environment by embedding First Nations knowledge back into the community.

We are proud to have distributed $380,000 to 36 projects and /or programs over the past 10 years.

Stand Like Stone's New Major Sponsor

We are absolutely delighted to introduce our newest sponsor of the Foundation

'Trans Australian Livestock and Freight Management'

Sponsorship plays a vital role in helping with the operational costs so that we can ensure more money from donations goes directly back into the local community. For more information in becoming a sponsor of the Foundation, please contact Roger on 0418 204 401.;

Become a Friend Today!

This is the starting point of your philanthropic journey. 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.

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, in which you will get the opportunity to have a vote on.

Please do not 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!

Become a Friend Today

We would like to thank the following who have joined us in becoming a Friend for the 22/23 financial year.

Bordertown Vet Clinic
Stephanie Brooker-Jones
Vicki Osborne
Amherst Livestock Trust
Sally Klose
Robert & Glenda Mock
Carol Kay
Justine Drew
Sunnyside Instant Lawn
Woodstock Partners
John Fry
Deb & Graeme Paschke
Graham & Gail Adams
Malcolm & Heather Lambert

Thank you to our generous sponsors & supporters

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.

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

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.

Donate Here