The Boileau Family Foundation was deeply honoured to host its inaugural fundraising event last Saturday evening at the magnificent home and gardens of Marcus and Stephanie Bastiaan, “St Anne’s.”
Generosity at St Anne’s
In an extraordinary gesture of generosity and philanthropy, Marcus and Stephanie graciously opened their beautiful home and fully catered the evening, with every dollar raised dedicated entirely to the Foundation and its ongoing projects supporting those within our community who are facing hardship and disadvantage. Their kindness and commitment to helping others created not only a stunning setting, but an atmosphere of warmth, compassion and genuine fellowship.
Community and fellowship
The evening brought together an intimate gathering of like-minded guests, many of whom have now become the emerging core supporters of the Foundation. It was a night that reflected the very spirit of community — people coming together not simply for an event, but united by a shared belief that even small acts of kindness and generosity can profoundly change the lives of others.
A highlight performance
A truly unforgettable highlight of the evening was the “up close and personal” performance by the internationally respected harpist Jessica Fotinos, Principal Harp with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Jessica’s extraordinary musicianship captivated every person in the room. Her performance was both elegant and deeply moving, creating moments of reflection, joy and wonder that resonated throughout the evening. The lengthy and heartfelt applause that followed was a genuine testament to the gratitude and admiration felt by all who were privileged to experience her artistry.
Impact and encouragement
The Foundation was humbled and thrilled that the evening raised in excess of $15,000, together with additional pledges of ongoing support. As this was the Foundation’s first dedicated fundraising event, the generosity shown by guests exceeded all expectations and provided enormous encouragement for the future.
Most importantly, the success of the evening reaffirmed the importance of compassion, community and shared responsibility toward those less fortunate amongst us. Every contribution made on the night will help the Foundation continue its mission of providing meaningful support, hope and practical assistance to vulnerable individuals and families in our community.
Gratitude and what’s next
The Boileau Family Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to Marcus and Stephanie Bastiaan for their extraordinary hospitality and philanthropic spirit, to Jessica Fotinos for her remarkable contribution to the evening, and to every guest whose generosity and belief in the Foundation’s vision made the night such a success.
We are delighted that, by kind invitation of Marcus and Stephanie, the Foundation’s next fundraising event is already being planned for a return to the beautiful “St Anne’s” — a place that has now become closely connected with the Foundation’s hopes for building a more compassionate and caring community.