Educator awarded national honour

COASTAL CONTRIBUTOR: Kingston resident Alison Stillwell has been awarded an Medal of the Order of Australia for her long history of voluntary efforts.

By Raquel Mustillo

A LIFE of educating has taught Kingston resident Alison Stillwell an important lesson – you never stop learning.

“I was never into history when I was at school, so it is funny how I am now so involved with the National Trust and the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse,” she said.

“But I do like to learn and everyone is so unique and contributes so much, whether it is the history of the lighthouse or their own personal story.

“It has been a joy and a privilege to work with the town’s history and I have learnt a lot from those who can share their knowledge and experience.

“That is probably the crux of why I do it, I can help educate visitors to the lightest and learn from others.”

Ms Stillwell’s years of historic, sporting and artistic voluntary endeavours has culminated in Kingston’s second Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021.

Just 18 months after joining the National Trust South Australia Kingston SE branch, Ms Stillwell joined the executive as secretary and coordinated the Margaret Brock Room Development within the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, which was partially funded by the Maritimes Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme.

An interactive shipwreck map, interpretive panels covering the captain’s story, artefacts and an audio narration of the Captain’s journal feature in the room, which was officially opened in 2016.

But Ms Stillwell’s long community orientated history started 30 years earlier after moving to Kingston in 1986 and joining the Kingston Saints Netball Club.

The avid player took on the role as president in 1992, spending four years as coach and one year as the club secretary.

Ms Stillwell concurrently served as secretary of the Kingston SE Triathlon Club for 12 years before holding the position of president from 2014 to 2018.

She was instrumental in the continued success of the long-running Kingston SE Triathlon, which provided 31 years of competition for thousands of participants swimming, cycling and running their way through a variety of course lengths.

“The triathlon was a really solid event and it attracted people of all different levels from all across the state,” Ms Stillwell said.

“The whole town was supportive of it and we would have 100 volunteers donating their time to help make it a success.

“It was incredible to watch the talented sportsmen as well as people at the age of seven participating.”

The coastal resident is also affectively known to thousands of former primary school students across the Limestone Coast who participated in the South East Primary Schools Music Festival. The talented musician was the festival’s accompanist for 14 years and until recently was the Kingston Community School choir accompanist, a role she has held since 1989.

“It is such an affirmative and joyous activity for children and it was wonderful to be involved,” Ms Stillwell said.

“Hearing the students sing and do what they do as a unit was very special.”

Ms Stillwell’s musical talents also contributed to the establishment of the Kingston District Community Theatre Group and a 13 year stint as the Robe Choir musical director.

“The theatre group was designed to be a culmination between the school community and the broader community and it worked really well,” she said.

“I was the producer for many years and we did a lot of great shows, including Grease and The Sound of Music, and also had a live band.”

Buoyed by the belief it was always good to involve herself in work outside paid work, Ms Stillwell was a long-time school council member of the Kingston Community School and was chair from 2001 to 2009.

Despite the sustained and broad community involvement, Ms Stillwell believes she is lucky to receive the prestigious OAM.

“When I first found out, I was incredibly surprised and I certainly feel very honoured and humbled to receive it,” she said.

“It is so wonderful someone made the time to put me down for the award for absolutely no benefit to them.”