EIGHT Limestone Coast locals have banded together to raise funds for the community with the 2024 Swinging with the Stars well underway.
The key fundraiser for the Stand Like Stone Foundation will continue to raise significant funds, enabling the distribution of community grants and scholarships across the region.
Since 2008, the event has raised more than $1m with foundation chief executive officer Roger Babolka expecting this year’s event to be big.
This year’s stars have commenced learning the four dances they will perform on the night.
More than 550 people are expected to attend the event held at The Barn Palais this June.
“This year the eight stars that have put their hands up to raise much needed funds for the foundation are coming from across the region, including Mount Gambier, Robe, Naracoorte and Lucindale, Penola and Coonawarra and Marcollat,” Mr Babolka said.
“Not only are our stars flat out learning the dance routines under the expert tutelage of Kim Cella and the great team at Hype Dance, they’re also out and about raising funds and awareness for the foundation.”
He said Swinging with the Stars was an “amazing event” with stars not only raising money for the foundation but also having a lot of fun.
“They do so knowing the money they raise will have a positive and lasting impact for the people of the Limestone Coast for many, many years to come,” Mr Babolka said.
The stars will hit the dancefloor at The Barn Palais on June 22 with tickets on sale soon.
MEET THE STARS:
ELLA BOSTON: Ella is a student support officer at Naracoorte High School and is an all year round sports person who has a liking for the dance floor.
Fitness and a dancing history has to make Ella a contender for the 2024 crown.
She will be raising funds for the Naracoorte and District Sub Fund.
KEZIA FEAST: An ex-student and now teacher at Allendale East Area School, Kezia was a keen dancer back in her school days, and has always admired those who have put their hands up to be a Star.
When the Principal of Allendale Area School asked Kezia to consider being a star this year, she could not say no.
She will be raising funds for the Steven Noble Memorial Sub Fund.
NATHAN MCCARTHY: A stock agent for Elders, Nathan considers being asked by his local community to be a star as an honour and a privilege.
He is looking forward to learning some new moves and to show-off his newly developed dancing talents to his family and friends in June.
Nathan is also hoping to raise funds for the Lucindale Area School Sub Fund, while also having a few laughs along the way.
SHEKINAH HORSBURGH: A teacher at Grant High School, Shekinah has seen first-hand how Stand Like Stone supports the community through one of her siblings who received a scholarship from the foundation.
She has an arts background, plays the clarinet and saxophone and is part of the Mount Gambier Theatre Group. S
Shekinah will be raising funds for the Grant High School Sub Fund.
TYLER MICHIELAN: An electrician with Godrik Construction and Electrical, Tyler has played for the International Soccer Club for the last 12 years and has also represented South Australia in the ‘Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup’ tournament in 2017 and 2018.
Tyler believes being a star is going to be a great experience, but also a great opportunity to give back to the community.
He will be raising funds for the Stand Like Stone General Sub Fund.
BEC HURST: Growing up in Avenue Range, Bec married the boy next door and is now a registered nurse and a farmer’s wife in Robe.
Bec is looking forward to representing her community and learning how to dance and is raising funds for the Poppy Crozier Memorial Sub
Fund.
CORY O’CONNOR: A teacher at Penola High School, Cory heads up the agricultural program which sees his students getting out of the classroom and into the paddock.
He is a recent recipient of an Environment and Sustainability Australia Day Award.
Cory is raising funds for the Penola Coonawarra Wellbeing Sub Fund.
CHRIS WILLIAMS: Chris is a family man and owner of Chris Williams Painting.
He agreed to take up the challenge of being a star in 2024 because of his wife’s encouragement, but also to do something good for his community.
A lifetime member of the South Gambier Football Club, Chris says he is not a dancer and is embarrassed when having to get up and dance. Chris will be raising funds for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Limestone Coast Sub Fund.
