OUTSTANDING SUCCESS: Pictured above are 2023 Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon coordinator Jason Wallace, Premier Peter Malinauskas and ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks celebrate the success of the luncheon, which raised close to $130,000 to support vulnerable people.

A MAJOR charity event at The Barn Palais has raised close to $128,000 to boost the work of regional South Australian organisation ac.care to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

The 2023 Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon, traditionally held every two years, returned to the venue after five years of delays caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

Around 430 people, representing many businesses, along with civic and community leaders, from across the region, Adelaide and interstate, welcomed the return of the networking and charity luncheon on July 28, with Premier Peter Malinauskas adding to the appeal as the event guest speaker.

“We were thrilled to be back at The Barn Palais for this major event and overwhelmed by the generosity of the business community with $127,786 raised and donations continuing to come in over recent days,” ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said.

“It was not only an extraordinary fundraiser, but fantastic opportunity to share our work with the community and speak to businesses about how we can work together more closely to do more to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in our community and break cycles of disadvantage - together we can make a difference.”

Our Event in the Media

(Click to download high-resolution PDF files)

News article about homelessness support
SE Voice social focus page
The Border Watch
The Border Watch social pages
The Border Watch
Peter Mali at the Homelessness luncheon

Mr Maddocks thanked the diverse contributors who made the event a success, including the dedicated team at The Barn and major sponsors, including DiGiorgio Family Wines, Coopers, Thomas Foods, Barry Maney Group, auctioneer Andrew Whan of Miller Whan and John, emcee Di Ind of Limestone Coast Solutions and guest speaker Mr Malinauskas.

“The long list of supporters, sponsors and donors of supplies, along with raffle and auction items, represents many of the region’s businesses and we are truly grateful for this support,” Mr Maddocks said.

“A special thank you also to the brave people who shared their deeply personal stories of how ac.care helped them move from homelessness to a more secure future and Tim Brennan for his deeply meaningful and grounding Welcome to Country.”

Attendees at the Homelessness luncheon
UNITED: Emcee Di Ind (front left) and social media volunteer Caitlin Kennedy with videographer Teagan Hill (back left), event coordinator Jason Wallace, Premier Peter Malinauskas, ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks and ac.care chairperson Rick Fisher at the 2023 Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon.

Mr Maddocks said the event was more important than ever after need in the community had grown over recent years due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, rising cost of living and ongoing lack of affordable housing and after the organisation’s fundraising capacity had been restricted due to the pandemic restrictions.

“We were thrilled to bring back the luncheon and proud to continue the legacy of the late Barry Maney OAM, who, together with Barry Stafford and the initial event committee, brought businesses together for the first time over 10 years ago for the first luncheon to support our work and humbled that the generosity of our community continues,” Mr Maddocks said.

Tim Brennan
TOUCHING WELCOME: Boandik man Tim Brennan provided a compelling Welcome to Country to open the event.
THRILLING FINALE: Auctioneer Andrew Whan of Miller, Whan and John takes bids from the crowd during the major charity auction.
THRILLING FINALE: Auctioneer Andrew Whan of Miller, Whan and John takes bids from the crowd during the major charity auction.
BROAD SUPPORT: Close to 430 people attended the charity luncheon at The Barn Palais.
CHARITY EVENT: The Friday business luncheon function at The Barn Palais attracted strong support.

Event manager Jason Wallace of ac.care said every dollar raised would go towards the work of ac.care to support vulnerable country people.

“This major fundraiser truly makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of vulnerable country people at times of crisis and we could not achieve all we do without such significant and valued support,” he said.

“Thank you everyone – together we are changing lives for the better and helping people move from crisis to stability, safety and hopefulness.”

TEAM EFFORT: Event emcee Di Ind of Limestone Coast Solutions and a large team of ac.care staff were pivotal in the event’s success.
TEAM EFFORT: Event emcee Di Ind of Limestone Coast Solutions and a large team of ac.care staff were pivotal in the event’s success.

A major charity auction at the event, featuring 27 items, including some late additions announced on the day, raised more than $50,000, with the premier’s offer of dinner for 10 people as his guests at Parliament House raising the highest price at $7000.

Raffles and other activities were also held on the day with broad support from regional businesses helping boost the fundraising result.

Thank you to our generous supporters

Click each image to view a full list of businesses who supported our Support Homeless People Luncheon for 2023

Support homeless people luncheon supporters 2023
2023 Homeless Person Luncheon Auction supporters
2023 Homeless person luncheon wine supporters
2023 Homeless Person luncheon raffle supporters
2023 Homeless person luncheon supporters

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ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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