Camden’s Steve Wisbey starts Cornerstone Community charity venture after Upstairs at Fred’s fire

A well-known community identity and business entrepreneur in the Macarthur region, Steve Wisbey has raised money for countless charities across 30 years. Now, he is doing it full time. Find out how.

Steve Wisbey.

A beloved business owner saw his pride and joy go up in smoke when flames tore apart a Camden restaurant, but now he is ready for his new adventure.

And, it is all about giving back to the community that has supported him for decades.

Steve Wisbey has owned businesses in and out of Camden for more than 30 years, such as Upstairs at Fred’s.

During that time, he also helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities, but now he is dedicating himself to charity full-time.

“I want to raise millions for charity,” Mr Wisbey said. “Charity made me happy and it was that work that got me the Order of Australia Medal.

“I want to turn over millions of dollars because then I am giving it all back to those who need it.”

Steve Wisbey at upstairs Fred's in Camden in 2019. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Carmela Roche

Mr Wisbey has started the Cornerstone Community and has designed an almost subscriber-like model to his organisation in which residents choose a membership.

This entitles them to discounts and offers from businesses for anything from a boat or lawnmower to life coaching and beauty services.

Myka Mangos.

There is also one major prize, at the moment it’s an $150,000 car and a trip to the US, that residents are automatically entered into when they make the donation. Then, 30 per cent of membership profits go to Blue Wren House.

“As we grow we will choose other charities as well,” Mr Wisbey said. “It’s all about giving discounts and offering prizes so that the business can make money to do good works in the community.”

Then there is “Neighbours in Need”, which Mr Wisbey created after talking with a local family who were “struggling”

“Each trade promotion will support a different family in need that we’ll go above and beyond for,” he said. “This time it’s for Myka Mangos and his family are about to endure a two-year treatment of intensive chemotherapy for leukaemia. We want to help cover living costs as they go through this nightmare.”

Flames engulfed the historic building Whiteman's Arcade quickly. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

The model works the same as the “Cornerstone Experience” in which residents can choose a membership, however, 100 per cent of funds raised through this model go straight to the family.

It’s a novel approach, Mr Wisbey admits, but one he is excited about after the stress and strain that followed the destruction of his beloved restaurant.

The once-bustling Upstairs at Fred’s was torn apart after a devastating fire ripped through the historic Whiteman’s Arcade in Camden, taking with it the popular restaurant.

In the wake of the devastating fire, Mr Wisbey swore to rebuild but it became too hard so the Cornerstone Community is his next challenge.

To read more about the organisation, click here.