Kingston Community Foundation holds its Official Launch.
- suzannedrabsch
- Apr 17
- 8 min read
"From the smallest acorn grows the mightiest oak."
On Friday April 11, 2025 the Kingston Community Foundation held its official launch at The Old Wool Store, Kingston SE.
Over 100 people attended the launch and heard from Vice-Chair Ross Johnston, Secretary Des Murray (see below) and Treasurer Phil Southam (see below) who outlined the finer details of the Kingston Community Foundation and announced the Foundation's first acquisition for investment, being The Old Wool Store.
Our guest speaker, Ms Robyn Verrall, Chair of Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast was an unfortunate apology, however Director Maureen Andrews read Robyn's speech on her behalf (see below).
Once operational, The Old Wool Store will be leased which will not only enable the Kingston Community Foundation to support its three local beneficiaries, but will also activate this amazing Venue which will be wonderful for the local community.
To make this happen - we need your support!
Donations can be made online via the website, or directly into the foundations bank account (details on the website).
And of course, please feel free to reach out to any one of our Board of Directors if you would like more information (their contact details are also on the website).
"Let's work together to build a legacy that will last for generations!"
Please find below copies of the speeches made on the night.
DES MURRAY, Secretary, Kingston Community Foundation.
"Good evening, Foundation Board Members, Ladies and Gentlemen.
As many of you know I have an accounting background, initially based in Bordertown and Naracoorte from 1974, operating as Murray Nankivell.
My experience with Foundations started in Bordertown in 2009 when a bequest was left to the community, so what to do? We did not wish to give it to the hospital where Health SA would take control. A group came together to work out how to assist the Bordertown and District Hospital in a way that the community retained control over funds raised. This bequest became the seed capital for the Bordertown Health and Community Foundation.
We established the Bordertown Health and Community Foundation with a local board of Directors and today the Foundation has $1m in invested funds and distributes up to $50,000 per annum for approved hospital projects.
There are several key points about this arrangement which I wish to make –
1. Important local organisations such as hospital, schools etc need to be supported by the community to provide equipment or infrastructure that Governments would not fund. In these modern times it is increasingly difficult to fundraise as frequently both parents are working, so the traditional methods of community fundraising are difficult to maintain.
2. Quite often when money is raised for a project, the money is spent and so then work commences for the next project. We then adopted the model of preserving funds raised, investing the money raised in long term investment strategies so that only the income is spent, the capital can then generate next year’s income in perpetuity.
3. An annual cycling event called the Murray to Moyne, that is Mildura to Port Fairey, 530 kms in 24 hours, was raising money for the local hospital since 1993. From 2009 the income from this event was then given to the Bordertown Health and Community Foundation. This event ran continuously until Covid. When it was restarted, it was changed to B2B, Beach to Bordertown. Since 1993 the event has raised nearly $800,000 over 32 years. The event in March this year raised in excess of $32,000. Next year we hope to have a Kingston team of cyclists taking part for the Kingston Community Foundation.
4. A Foundation is a community Trust, administered by a corporate trustee and managed by a local Board of Directors who must meet certain qualifications as determined by the ATO.
5. I believe this structure will be increasingly adopted, particularly in regional areas such as Kingston to help provide resilience in managing community affairs. We simply cannot leave it to the government to look after us.
6. Another aspect which I experienced over 50 years in Public Accounting, when assisting clients with their estate planning, wills etc. The question was often asked – how can I leave a legacy to my community? Often bequests are left to national charitable organisations which sees that money leave the district. There is no present structure which can manage bequeathed funds into the future.
7. A foundation such as the Kingston Community Foundation provides this facility and can survive in perpetuity within a strong regulatory framework which our Treasurer will speak about next.
It gives me great pleasure to be involved with the Kingston Community Foundation and I know that this concept works very well as it has in Bordertown since 2009.
PHIL SOUTHAM, Treasurer, Kingston Community Foundation.
"Good evening.
I also thank you for your interest and for coming along to the launch to hear more about this exciting initiative.
I’m Phil Southam, Treasurer of the Foundation. Many of you may not know me, as my wife Henny and I only moved to Kingston two years ago from Adelaide.
Firstly, a brief Personal Background:
There is a biography for each of our Directors on our website for you to read, but I will let you know a little about me now.
Although a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ I was keen to be involved in my local community and have been busy with a number of organisations and activities since. This ultimately led me to being involved with the establishment of the Foundation.
I am a retired financial accountant and CPA, with experience in finance roles in State and Federal Government, large not-for-profit organisations, and private business. I have also volunteered as Treasurer and Auditor for several incorporated associations over many years.
Additionally, I spent 21 years as a part-time Army Reserve Officer in The Australian Army. On overseas operations I held positions of Financial Advisor and Business Governance Team Leader and in my latter years, I participated in the review of governance and compliance practices within Australian Army Units.
My experience in these fields, and my accounting background, resulted in my appointment as an Independent Member of the Audit & Risk Committees with both Kingston and Robe Councils.
That's enough about me, now, about the Foundation:
Firstly I thank and acknowledge the support of Kingston District Council who have provided funding to assist the start-up of the Foundation. This is by way of:
*A Community Assistance Program Grant, which was provided for our logo design and development of the website, flyers, and prospectus for the launch of the Foundation; and
*A loan, with interest was extended to assist payment of the initial legal costs for establishment of the Foundation.
The Kingston Community Foundation is registered as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (the ACNC) and as a Deductible Gift Recipient (or DGR) with the Australian Taxation Office. This means there are strict regulatory, reporting and compliance requirements to oversee the Foundation and ensure that funds are safe and secure.
With the diversity and experience of the Board, the Foundation is in good hands to meet its obligations.
As a DGR charity, donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible to you as an individual, or business. All donations will be acknowledged with a Tax Receipt and listed in the financial statements. Larger donations may be listed on our website, but you can choose to remain anonymous in both if you desire.
Our investment strategy will be developed over time, in consultation with competent brokers. In the meantime, all larger donations will be transferred to a Sandhurst Managed Fund (SMF) with Bendigo Bank in Robe, to enable purchase of this building; our first investment and immediate goal. Interest on the fund will remain invested to accumulate for distribution to our beneficiaries.
Once we finalise purchase of the building, a lease of the Old Wool Store will provide a regular source of income in lieu of interest. This income stream will become available for distribution to the beneficiaries just like interest and any other income earned on our future investments. The lessee will cover outgoings on the property.
Smaller donations and interest on our working account will be retained in that account to cover ongoing operating expenses. These costs will be minimal but do include administrative items like post office box rental, domain name registration, postage and stationery, property insurance and some one-off costs in preparing the Old Wool Store for tonight. Over time, any surplus funds will be transferred to our investment account to increase our capital base and maximise the funds available for our beneficiaries.
In closing, I stress that this Foundation is a discretionary trust with three beneficiaries named in the Trust Deed. It is up to the Board of Directors for the Trustee to determine the allocation of grants to those beneficiaries upon receipt of requests for funding.
Of course, it will take a little time to build our investment base to have sufficient funds to distribute. An important point is that each of the beneficiaries has representation on the Board, and our Chairperson, Katherine McBride, has been selected for her local knowledge and independence from any perceived conflict of interest.
We hope you see the vision we have for kicking off the Kingston Community Foundation at the Old Wool Store, and our goal to preserve it, find a tenant, and have it reopened in the future. In doing this, we add value to the town of Kingston and the district.
Thank you for your attention."
ROBYN VERRALL, Chair, Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast
"Good evening everyone.
I want to thank the Chair Katherine McBride for inviting me to speak tonight, what a pleasure it is to welcome you all here tonight to the official launch of the Kingston Community Foundation. To be gathered here in this magnificent, heritage-listed Wool Store—soon to be brought back to life—is not only a celebration of the Foundation’s beginning, but also a nod to the rich history and future potential of our wonderful Kingston SE community.
The idea for the Kingston Community Foundation was first sparked in February 2024, when Des Murray, suggested the creation of a local fund. With Des’ extensive experience in community fund management, the vision quickly took shape, creating a board. And then just a few short months later, June 21, 2024, to be exact, the Foundation was formally established with the signing of a Trust Deed and company documents.
The core idea is simple, yet powerful: to keep local control of funds, building a capital base through donations, bequests, and fundraising. This capital is then invested, generating income that is distributed annually to key beneficiaries within the community.
We all know that fundraising has become increasingly difficult in the majority of cases, both parents working, tighter regulations, and rising overheads, our community organisations are stretched. The Foundation aims to relieve some of this pressure. By creating a reliable income stream, which can support vital services without always asking more of volunteers.
The initial beneficiaries—Kingston Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Kingston Community School, and the Kingston Branch of the National Trust are representation of the heart of the community. Each will receive annual financial support, allowing them to plan, grow, and serve Kingston more effectively.
As a registered not-for-profit charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible—something which should appeal to many generous locals and supporters, partners, tourists and sponsors looking to make a meaningful impact.
Tonight is also an opportunity to share something truly exciting: the Foundation has successfully negotiated the purchase of this very building, the Old Wool Store. Many of you will remember it as a thriving restaurant—full of warmth, character, and community. Since its closure six years ago, it has been deeply missed. The plan is to restore and reopen it, bringing back that vibrant social hub Kingston has longed for.
Of course, with ambition comes challenge. The Foundation needs to raise $800,000 by June 30 to finalise the purchase. It’s a big goal—but thanks to some generous early donations and the tireless work of our Board, the campaign is off to a strong start.
This is more than just a dream—it’s a shared vision, rooted in belief and belonging. And with the strength of this community, it has the power to turn it into reality. From the smallest acorn grows the mightiest oak, and tonight, I am honoured to be part of watching you plant the seed of something that will be truly lasting and great."
Thank you again for inviting me to speak tonight I look forward to supporting you as you begin this adventure and I wish for nothing but success for Kingston, and the future.
Enjoy the night."
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