Swinging with the Stars 2026

Dancing for the Naracoorte and Districts Sub-Fund
Will was inspired after seeing Sarah Laurie dance in 2024 and felt ready for another challenge following earlier fundraising ventures, including rowing the Zambezi River with his fiancée Lizzie for charity. He shares that navigating crocodile-infested shallows and hippo-watched channels was intense – yet dancing in front of a crowd might be more terrifying. Will is raising funds for the Naracoorte and Districts Sub-Fund to support local causes close to his heart.

Dancing for the Millicent High School Sub-Fund

Jack is a Millicent musician, performer and founder of Rock Lock Records. With a long history in music performance, radio and community event organising, he was honoured to be invited after attending Swinging with the Stars in 2024. He sees the event as the perfect mix of community spirit and performance. Jack loves travel, local music and the occasional cheesy horror film – and confesses a reliable weakness for any venue serving Guinness on tap.

Dancing for the Naracoorte Seeds Sub-Fund
Justine, a disaster recovery manager with PIRSA, has long admired the event’s energy and the courage of past dancers. She was motivated by the opportunity to support the newly established Naracoorte Seeds Sub-Fund, which aligns closely with her work in resilience and wellbeing. Known for embracing adventurous challenges – from True Grit to trekking in Nepal – she is ready for what she describes as another uncomfortable but exciting experience.

Dancing for the Barrie Holmes Memorial Sub-Fund
Fiona is a registered nurse, live music performer and Generations in Jazz Board member who believes deeply in the power of sport to shape young people’s lives through confidence, resilience and connection. With a competitive streak and a long history of tennis, motorbikes, karate, horse riding and gymnastics, she jokes that plenty of sprains and broken bones over the years mean that ice packs may be required.

Dancing for the Beachport Sub-Fund.
Linda is a mental health social worker and volunteer ambulance officer living in Beachport who is thrilled to join an “incredible fundraiser” and is looking forward to learning to dance properly, meeting new people and having fun. Born and raised in Ireland, she shares that both her parents are good jivers and she hopes some of their moves have rubbed off.

Dancing for the Grant High School Sub-Fund

Meg, a youth worker from Wandilo, wants to show her daughter that anything is possible and that it’s worth trying something new even when it feels scary. She is passionate about helping families who truly need support and is excited to take on the challenge. Born on New Year’s Day, Meg brings enthusiasm and purpose to her fundraising efforts.

Phil is a team leader at Limestone Coast Ability and a strong advocate for inclusion. As founder of Mount Gambier parkrun and organiser of Tower Trail Run and Cave Run, Phil is accustomed to encouraging others but is now stepping into the spotlight himself. He is raising funds to support people in the Limestone Coast to overcome barriers to participation and achieving their dreams. A community photographer and former DJ and musician, Phil says that persistence is on his résumé – dancing is not.

Dancing for Dr Sue Charlton AM Memorial Sub-Fund

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Dancing for the Stand Like Stone General Fund

Tom, a sheep farmer, believes that anything equal parts fun and charitable “has to be a good thing” and jokes that this may be his last chance to discover whether a dance career awaits. Tom brings a lively household to the journey with three sons and fifteen dogs and is looking forward to contributing to Stand Like Stone’s broad impact across the region.