RECENT PROJECTS, NEWS & EVENTS

The ACF support our community with grant funding, and also via civic leadership & community collaboration. We work alongside local agencies, organisations and community members to make a difference and create change within our community.

THE GIFT OF A BUILDING TO OUR COMMUNITY: MOIRS BUILDING PEELS PLACE

Great Southern Personnel leaves a lasting community legacy with the gift of a building to the ACF.

For almost 40 years, Great Southern Personnel (GSP) played an important role in the Great Southern community, creating employment opportunities and supporting people living with disability to participate in the workforce. Throughout its history, GSP was committed to creating a more inclusive community by recognising the abilities, skills and potential of people living with disability. Its work helped open doors to meaningful employment, foster independence and provide opportunities for individuals to develop their skills, build confidence and make valuable contributions to the local workforce. Beyond employment, GSP's contribution represented something much bigger: a commitment to inclusion, dignity, opportunity and ensuring everyone has the chance to participate and feel valued within their community.

After almost four decades of service, GSP made the difficult decision to wind up its operations this year. However, its Board was determined that the organisation's contribution would not end with its closure. Recognising that its remaining assets could continue to benefit the community, the Board sought an organisation that shared its values and commitment to supporting people experiencing disadvantage. The Albany Community Foundation (ACF) was identified as a natural fit.

“When the Board of GSP made the decision to wind up, we were aware that we had assets that could still be of use to the community. In deciding where to leave those assets, we looked for an organisation that had similar values, focus and standing in the local community. The Albany Community Foundation ticked those boxes and more. We are proud to be able to gift the ACF a legacy to assist the ACF as they continue to support the disadvantaged in our local communities.” - Steve Amato, Chair, Great Southern Personnel

ACF is incredibly honoured to receive this legacy and recognises the significance of GSP's contribution to our region over almost 40 years. While the nature of our organisations' work may differ, we share a common belief in building stronger, more inclusive communities where people have the opportunity and support to thrive. This gift will allow GSP's assets to continue serving the community, extending the impact of an organisation that dedicated so many years to improving opportunities and outcomes for local people.

We extend our sincere thanks to the GSP Board for their generosity, foresight and confidence in ACF to carry this legacy forward. Our thanks also go to Wellington and Reeves Real Estate for providing pro bono property management services, and Graphite Legal for their valued support throughout the transfer.

The end of GSP's operations marks the close of an important chapter in our region's history, but its legacy of opportunity, inclusion and community contribution will continue.

2026 COMMUNITY BANK ALBANY ALL ABILITIES BALL

The ACF is proud to support and promote the annual All Abilities Ball. More information can be found here.

SHELTER TOGETHER: COMMUNITY BANK ALBANY HOMELESSNESS FUNDRAISER 2026

Shelter Together raised a record-breaking $72,321!

Thank you to everyone who donated, attended, sponsored, volunteered, performed, shared our message, purchased a ticket, or helped behind the scenes. Every contribution, big or small, made this achievement possible. We have not only set a new fundraising record for our annual homelessness fundraiser, we have shown what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Thank you to Teo Galli for the videography on the night.

2025 COMMUNITY BANK ALBANY ALL ABILITIES BALL

The ACF are proud to sponsor the 2025 Community Bank Albany All Abilities Ball, and support this fantastic initiative for people in our community. The event encourages joy, connection and celebration in a safe environment for individuals who often miss out on formal social events. Visit the facebook page for more information and to purchase tickets:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2169734650208361

HOMELESSNESS FUND + COMMUNITY BANK ALBANY BIG SLEEP OUT

The ACF support people facing homelessness in our community by providing financial grants year-round. This could be to assist with accommodation costs, purchasing whitegoods, or for other essential items. These funds are raised locally, and distributed to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, via our Homelessness Fund. Our annual Sleep Out event has been in existence for over 10 years, and the most recent event in 2024 raised over $50,000 to assist those facing homelessness. Visit our events page or social media for more information about the annual event and how you can support or donate towards this great cause.

SUPPORTING LOCAL STUDENTS

The ACF has an ongoing program to support primary and secondary students in obtaining education in the Great Southern. In 2024 the ACF supported 436 primary school kids whose families were financially unable to purchase the textbooks they require for learning, or participate in swimming lessons, excursions and school camps that all children should have access to, regardless of financial status. We also supported 24 high school students from Albany Senior High School who were unable to purchase a compulsory device required by the school curriculum, due to family financial hardship. $6,619 was granted for 24 refurbished laptops to ensure all students had access to the devices required for learning.

Here is a heartwarming response from some of the recipients from Mount Barker Community College;

“Some of our Aboriginal families can be under quite a bit of strain financially due to having numerous family members staying in the one house for extended periods of time. One of our families had been able to put enough money together to pay for one child’s swimming lessons but could not make payment for another. The relief of the grandfather’s face when he was told that the College had funds to cover the other child was priceless. To have the funds to ensure all students can access swimming lessons and the Year 6 Camp is incredible. A big thank you to everyone involved with the Albany Community Foundation, as the support provided today makes such a difference into the future for our students.”

GREAT SOUTHERN COMMUNITY HUB 2023 - 2024

Over a two year period, the ACF actively supported Pivot Support Services’ campaign to prevent the closure of its Community Hub, as we recognised the significant negative impact that was inevitably going to be felt on the most vulnerable in our community. The ACF worked alongside Pivot to develop a marketing pitch, highlighting the need to prevent the imminent closure and the opportunities to fund a three-year plan to ensure the survival and expansion of the existing program. We advocated for the project by engaging with our community foundation peers and Community Foundations Australia to promote the Hub to a wider philanthropic audience across WA, and were successful in obtaining funding from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, which meant the hub can continue to survive and assist hundreds of disadvantaged people and families needing immediate help. We are proud to be part of the success of this initiative, which highlights the strength of our working relationships with local agencies, and our philanthropic networks further afield.

The ACF strive to make a difference via civic leadership, and it is heartwarming to see these tangible, positive outcomes for our community. We extend a heartfelt thanks to the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.

ACF HOUSING PROJECT 2022 - 2024

In 2022 in the midst of the housing crisis, a passionate ACF member approached us with an idea to repurpose unused accommodation units to provide a short-term housing option for small families in crisis. What sounded like a simple solution turned out to be a complex task, but with the enthusiastic collaboration of our front-line services and other supporters, the necessary arrangements including lease agreements and funding submissions to provide wraparound support for the proposed future tenant were progressed. ACF coordinated and planned the refurbishment of the units and by the end of 2024 numerous pro-bono tradespeople donated their skills and times, and generous donations were received, and the work was able to commence on site.

Thankyou to all involved, and a special thanks to John Shayler; ACF member and advocate, ACF Board members, Albany Country Women’s Association, The City of Albany, Anglicare WA Great Southern Advance Housing Ltd, Home Group Albany & Great Southern and their trades and suppliers, Community Bank Albany, Civitas Projects, private donors, WA State Government and Rebecca Stephens Member for Albany for donating your time, resources and advocacy to allow us to facilitate this amazing outcome for the community.

With a collaborative effort in project managing and undertaking the refurbishment works, we have successfully handed over 5 of the units for occupation, which are currently managed by Advance Housing, with tenants supported by Anglicare WA.

COMMUNITY BANK ALBANY BIG SLEEP OUT 2024

The annual BIG Sleep Out fundraiser was held in August and we raised a record amount of $51,229 at the event!

Thankyou to everyone who was involved or donated towards this great cause.

ALBANY’S BIG SLEEP OUT 2023

The annual BIG SLEEP OUT held on the 26th August was a huge success at the Albany Agricultural Pavilion with over $44,000 raised. Thank you to all involved and those who contributed to this fantastic endeavour.

You can still donate towards homelessness in Albany at any time, just make a donation to the Albany Community Foundation with “homelessness” in the description.

$ 1 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED AND DONATED !

To celebrate the momentous milestone of reaching $1 MILLION in funds raised by and for the Albany community, we held a ‘thankyou’ morning tea to acknowledge our donors, supporters and members and the contribution they have made to reach this amazing achievement.

Thankyou to Lee Griffith Photography for the photos.

KENNY MCGONNELL REHAB BIKE

THE ACF SUCCESSFULLY ASSISTED IN RAISING FUNDS FOR REHAB BIKE FOR LOCAL LEGEND KENNY MCGONNELL IN 2017. HAVE A READ OF KENNY'S STORY BELOW AND HOW THE ACF WERE ABLE TO ASSIST.

The machine cost $26,000, and a good friend of Kenny's requested some assistance from the ACF to help raise these funds. The ACF created posters and many of his friends helped to raise money at the local football grand final, and the ACF announced that we would match the funds raised, dollar for dollar up to $5,000. This event sparked huge interest in Albany, and with the ACF and friends and family of Kenny's combined, we were able to raise the full $26,000 for the bike. The ACF contributed approximately $4,000, with the community donating the outstanding $22,000. This is a fantastic example of how the ACF can get involved with the community to help an individual, but also shows how amazing our local community is. 

Kenny McGonnell is a 30 year old Albany man who until recently owned and ran a local building company. Kenny is also a keen sportsmen and was also involved in swimming, football, basketball, enduro, yoga, triathlons etc. Unfortunately on the 25th of May 2017, Kenny was injured in a motorbike accident while riding with friends on a property in Albany. He was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital spinal unit and then to Fiona Stanley Hospital to begin rehabilitation. Kenny had sustained injuries to the spinal cord at mid thoracic level (T6) resulting in being unable to feel anything from his chest down. Subsequently Kenny has become a paraplegic and is confined to a wheelchair. 

Kenny is an extremely positive person and has taken his rehabilitation to a level that has surprised his doctors, physios and occupational therapists to the point that they have had to try to slow him down rather than give him any further encouragement. While Kenny was at Fiona Stanley, he was especially impressed with a piece of equipment (RT300) that stimulates muscles through Functional Electrical Stimulation. This particular piece of equipment is in the form of a computerised recumbent bicycle where the wheelchair is wheeled up to the bike and the patients legs are strapped onto peddles. Electrical stimulation is then used to activate the muscles in the patient’s legs as if riding a bike. The equipment also has hand pedals for patients with different spinal injuries. Kenny believes that maintaining muscle movement and the flexibility to maintain muscle mass will give him the best possible conditioning to be able to walk again. There are only three of these machines in W.A. and that they are used for a variety of injuries and conditions, from spinal injuries to stroke victims and cerebral palsy sufferers.