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The Governor General of Australia to meet students supported by The Smith Family

Media releases

23 October 2012

During Children's Week, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of Australia, will meet with 12 students currently attending Chifley College, to get an insight into the support that is helping the students achieve their educational aspirations.

The Smith Family currently supports young people who attend Chifley College's Shalvey Campus and works closely with the college to facilitate the provision of programs which support them to make effective career and study choices.

The students will share with Her Excellency their experiences of five of The Smith Family's Learning for Life programs that provide young people the assistance they need to develop vital life skills, stay engaged in their education and have the best chance to realise their potential.

Lisa O'Brien, Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family said that for the last nine decades, The Smith Family has focused on the needs of disadvantaged children and families and responded accordingly. Today, The Smith Family empowers disadvantaged Australian children to transform their lives through education.

"We are honoured that Her Excellency is personally meeting some of the students that we support", she said. "The students are thrilled to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the Governor-General at their school and brainstormed an informative interview-style presentation for Her Excellency, whereby they can relate their educational experiences to her."

Currently celebrating its 90th birthday, The Smith Family is marking its evolution into the largest education-oriented charity in Australia that supports over 100,000 Australians each year. Recently it announced a bold new strategy to double its reach within the next five years with the help of its supporters.

"This is a great opportunity to acknowledge a positive relationship that has influenced the lives of our students," said Janet Harding, Principal of Chifley College Shalvey Campus.

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au