WHEN Steven Noble lost his life in a road crash at Mount Gambier on Easter Sunday in 2013, aged just 27, it devastated the Limestone Coast community and stripped his wife Courtney of their future together.
In the lead up to the fifth anniversary of his passing and in the face of this tragedy, Courtney and a team of passionate mates have brought a vision to reality with a generous gesture to the community.
Remembered in the Port MacDonnell and Allendale East communities as a friendly, outgoing, loyal person with a smile that would light up the room, Steven was a talented sportsman and successful senior footballer with the Port MacDonnell Football Club.
The Steven Noble Memorial Fund – a sub fund of the Stand Like Stone Foundation – was established in Steven’s memory by Simon Livingston, Tahlia Gabrielli and Amy Trevilyan when they participated in the foundation’s annual Swinging with the Stars fundraiser in 2013.
“When Steve passed, I thought we had to do something that not only remembered him, but also helped those who were struggling with his loss,” Mr Livingstone said.
“I was really drawn to how Stand Like Stone had set up their trust funds and realised that we didn’t have one for our area.
“Courtney was behind Tahlia, Amy and myself from day one, which really got us going with our fundraising – to actually see Courtney’s vision come to fruition is amazing.”
A community bus was delivered this week to service the extended communities of Port MacDonnell, Allendale and Kongorong for the purpose of education, awareness and accessibility for rural and regional communities.
“We were humbled to be able to assist both Courtney and those who have been so passionate about recognising Steven in a meaningful way, to achieve this outcome,” Stand Like Stone chair Bill DeGaris said.
“The three regional communities will benefit from the community bus and will remember Steven as the community-minded man that he was.”
The community bus will be housed at the Allendale East Area School and will be managed under the governance of the school governing council and a community bus management committee, consisting initially of Courtney Fox, Grant Fensom, Kylie Smith and Tracy Bald.
“The community bus will provide access for students and community groups that was otherwise not possible and will enable education and awareness around road safety issues,” Ms Fox said.
“The end result has gone far beyond the initial vision I had for the sub fund and I am so pleased with the opportunities that the bus will provide in the future.
“I am grateful for the support I have received from the Stand Like Stone Foundation, Allendale East Area School and the community members who have donated and raised funds – having the funds to purchase the bus in just five short years is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved.”
Dedicated to the memory of Steven John Noble, the purchase of the bus was enabled by Courtney Fox, Simon Livingston, Tahlia Gabrielli, Amy Trevilyan, Alisha Stephens, David Fox and Grant Fensom and supported by Noel Barr Toyota.
As the Easter long weekend approaches, Ms Fox urged everyone to make safe choices on the roads.
