A STATE leader in business and philanthropy will visit Mount Gambier to speak at the Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon next month.
Coopers Foundation and Coopers Brewery chair Melanie Cooper AM will provide the keynote address at the event.
The Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon will return to The Barn Palais on August 8 and is one of the region’s biggest fundraising events, supporting the work of ac.care to assist vulnerable people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
“We are delighted to have such a high-profile guest speaker for the luncheon with Ms Cooper’s reputation for both business success leading one of the state’s strongest brands as well as her commitment to contributing to important causes through philanthropy,” ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said.
Ms Cooper was appointed as the first female chair of Coopers Brewery in 2023 and is also the brewery’s director of corporate affairs.
A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ms Cooper has held board positions with the Prime Minister’s Community and Business Partnership, Burnside Hospital Foundation and the Neurosurgical Research Foundation.
She received the Member of the Order of Australia Medal (AM) for philanthropic service to the community and leadership and is patron of St John’s Youth Services.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home,” Ms Cooper said.
“ac.care’s tireless support as operator of the Limestone Coast Homelessness Service brings hope, dignity and stability to many of those facing housing insecurity, reminding us that community is built by caring for our most vulnerable.”
She said she was delighted to support the worthy cause as chair of the Coopers Foundation.
Around half the tickets available for the luncheon have sold and the event is expected to sell out.
The luncheon attracts around 500 people to a gala day of fundraising, learning about homelessness in the Limestone Coast and how businesses and other stakeholders can make a difference, plus providing a great opportunity to network with people from across the region.
Hunter Bus Services has joined the event as a sponsor and will provide a free shuttle bus service between the Sturt Street bus stop near the Mount Gambier Library and The Barn half hourly from 11.15am-12.15am and 4.30pm-5.30pm.
Mr Maddocks said ac.care was grateful for the generosity of many sponsors and the business community that made the luncheon a success to raise significant funds to support the work of the country agency, founded in Mount Gambier, and increase its impact.
The luncheon was founded by the late Barry Maney OAM with the support of Barry Stafford.
Mr Maney said at the inaugural 2012 event “we can all make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling, particularly when we come together like we have”.
“We are proud to continue this legacy and are calling on the community to once again come together for the region’s biggest business networking fundraiser and luncheon to increase the impact of ac.care, operator of the Limestone Coast Homelessness Service,” Mr Stafford said.
Bookings and more information are available here.
Auction and raffle items can be pledged by emailing care@accare.org.au
