Mount Gambier woman Trudi Shelton, founder of local charity Four Reasons Why, is a dedicated community advocate committed to supporting those in need. Her efforts include providing winter clothing, food, household essentials and hygiene items, as well as providing refurbished whitegoods for victims of domestic violence who are leaving emergency accommodation and starting over. Trudi also organises fuel vouchers and assistance with sports membership fees to make a meaningful difference to the lives of many.
Trudi felt compelled to help those in need when she was working in pastoral care at North Gambier Primary School in 2016.
“I identified that children were not dressed appropriately for winter, they were cold and they needed coats, jumpers and shoes,” Trudi said.
“So, I went home and cleaned out my four children’s wardrobes and donated their old clothes, which of course was not enough, so I asked my friends to do the same.”
The uniform drive sparked the creation of a Facebook group ‘Mount Gambier winter wear for kids in need’. Word about the initiative spread quickly and Trudi soon had enough warm clothing to provide for children at nine local schools.
“My children and I literally lived around piles of clothes because we touched every article of clothing to make sure that it was okay to be passed on and then we did all the deliveries,” she said.
The Facebook group soon evolved to provide clothing and food to those in need, which prompted a name change to ‘Mount Gambier community of helping hands’.
In 2017, Trudi was the recipient of a Women in Business and Regional Development community leader award for her dedication to provide for the less fortunate within the community, with a cash prize of $1000.
“I used that money as seed funding to become incorporated. The name was too long, so we had to think of another one. My children are the reason I never gave up, so I called it ‘Four Reasons Why’ and we became incorporated with members of a board. 4RW turned seven in November in 2024.”
Four Reasons Why provides support, assistance, and opportunities to local people in need. This includes the provision of good condition pre-loved items, brand new goods, winter clothing and footwear, drink bottles, sports equipment and memberships for local children, families and individuals experiencing hardship. All donations stay within the local community.
“We support an incredible young person who lost her mum in an unfair and tragic DV situation when she was only young. She has always worked part time, attended school and further studies trying to help herself,” Trudi said.
“To help her out further, 4RW provide her with ongoing support across the years and will continue to do so. We provided a laptop for her TAFE course and most recently paid for all of her driving lessons and final test to which she passed and can now work towards her independence even more.
“We do some of these additional things for people that need it because they are lost and traumatised. It’s a real privilege to be able to step in and make some small difference that might prevent them from going down the wrong path.”
Trudi’s passion, understanding and empathy for others in need stems from her own personal experience of hardship and trauma.
“I know how tough life situations can be at times,” she said.
“I was five months pregnant with my fourth child when my partner left, and I was unable to work with three small children at home. It was neighbours, friends and family that stepped in to get us through.”
“It takes the village to raise a child, but it also takes that same village to rebuild their broken mum.”
Now that Trudi is back on her feet, her firm focus is supporting others in need to get back on theirs.
“I reconciled with myself that I cannot give back to whoever gave to me, but one day when I can, I will. I had no idea it was going to be this big, it has been a beautiful organic, surprising journey,” she said.
“There’s no shame in wanting, needing, receiving, or asking for help and the cycle of giving and a receiving is never ending. If we can walk side by side together, and do it with you and not for you, then we can empower you to do the same, or give back where you can.”
Trudi sees herself as a traffic controller to connect those who want to give with those in need of receiving.
“There are so many beautiful, amazing people in this community that want to give and there’s so many people in need, so 4RW and I try our best to identify where can we connect givers to receivers to bridge the gap and help each other out,” she said.
“You cannot have one without the other, so it’s never really about any one person, because if we did not have the givers, we cannot offer so much support, and if we did not have those brave enough to ask for help, then we have got no one to receive.
So that’s what I really love about Four Reasons Why – it’s a team effort.”
Trudi said she felt honoured to receive the City of Mount Gambier – 2025 Citizen of the Year award.
“It is very humbling and unexpected and a lovely surprise. It’s difficult to receive accolades, but I am very grateful, and it is nice to be acknowledged,” she said.