The Gilchrist name is not only extremely well known in Lismore and the Northern Rivers but also nationally and internationally through the cricketing exploits of Adam and Dean.

Today is the official launch of the Gilchrist Foundation, a new national charity that will help disadvantaged and disabled young people from troubled and broken homes and those that have the talent but not the financial support that is needed to achieve their dreams.

"There are millions of kids that are disempowered," Stan said, "Kids that live in remote areas, kids with parents who don't care or aren't around, kids with single parents, disabled kids, indigenous kids. There are so many that need help and support to realise their dreams and we want to provide them the ability to do that."

As well as his exploits in cricket as a player, coach and administrator, Stan founded the Northern NSW branch of Lord's Taverners in 2009 and was Chairman for ten years before stepping down in 2019. These achievements earned Stan the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2015.

Earlier this year Stan was sitting around a table with old friends and fellow Taverners members Gary Ablett, Richard Doggett and Karey Patterson when it was suggested that he launch the Gilchrist Foundation trading off the famous family name with the ability to reach and help more than just people in Northern NSW but Australia wide.

"The Gilchrist name is spread throughout Australia," Stan explained.

"Adam lives in Perth and obviously has a very high profile, Dean played first-grade cricket in Sydney and is still coaching first grade, Jacki also lives in Sydney while Glenn lives in Brisbane and is a Director of the Gilchrist Foundation."

The difficulty with scholarship charities is identifying people that are in need, the people almost hidden in society getting by day by day because of the hand life has dealt them.

The process until now has been that participating Universities have provided the names of people they know of that will most benefit from scholarships. Stan and June wanted to look deeper into the community to identify the people who have the talent and desire but not the financial means that Universities don't hear about.

"There are so many people in our community and many communities around Australia that know of someone who needs help, whether with a disability or a disadvantage of some sort like a broken home. Our goal is to identify those people and give them life-changing opportunities that no one else will give them," Stan explained.

"They not only get the financial support but will be mentored by June, myself and other Foundation members to guide them through their journey so they can grow as people as well as gain the education."

"Part of the process is to get as much publicity as we can so we can find scouts in every local community, especially the remote communities where there are deserving people that we would never hear about."

The services the Gilchrist Foundation offer include:

·         University Scholarships

·         TAFE Apprenticeships and scholarships

·         Special tertiary Grants and

·         The Gilchrist Sports Program

"We may identify a single Mum who wants to become a nurse but doesn't have the means," Stan shared, "She could be enabled to do a TAFE certificate and then go to Uni to finish her nursing degree."

While reading about the Gilchrist Foundation you may be wondering how you can be part of the system that benefits those in need.

Individually you can become involved as a volunteer, make a donation and there are Corporate Partner options for what your business can afford to give. Head to www.gilchrist.foundation for more information.

"We already have a very generous donor who has a passion for archaeology, " Stan said, " That donor is offering a full undergraduate degree at the University of New England which could include a fully-funded three-month Archaeological “dig” in the UK. This sort of generosity not only changes someone's life but also can make them great in their professional field."

The slogan for the Gilchrist Foundation is "We FIND, we FUND and we FOSTER". You can help with the finding aspect if you know of someone who deserves a helping hand and the funding aspect by becoming a regular donor or corporate partner or making a one-off donation.

I urge you to visit the website and explore how you can help make a difference to people in your community.

www.gilchrist.foundation