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The Smith Family celebrates National Reconciliation Week

Media releases

27 May 2014

The Smith Family Celebrates National Reconciliation week

The Smith Family is marking 2014 National Reconciliation Week by celebrating the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make to our community.

The Smith Family’s vision for reconciliation is a nation where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children fully benefit from the education and learning opportunities that this nation has to offer and are truly valued as the First Peoples of Australia through a deep respect and understanding by the broader Australian community.

The Smith Family’s 2013–16 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) signals our continued public commitment to the reconciliation process.

This is a rich and dynamic journey into an ancient and unique people and culture which will enhance the impact of our programs and partnerships across the communities in which we work.

We are proud of our work in 96 communities across Australia. In the 2013-14 financial year, we supported more than 7,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. This includes providing a long-term educational sponsorship through our Learning for Life program to more than 5,100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Our commitment to long term mutually beneficial relationships is also celebrated in National Reconciliation Week by providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members to build relationships with the local community.

The Smith Family’s CEO Lisa O’Brien said, “Our Reconciliation Action Plan aims to ensure that Indigenous children and families fully beneﬁt from our education and learning support programs, and that the lives of The Smith Family staff, supporters and volunteers are enhanced through a deeper appreciation of Indigenous Australians.

“During National Reconciliation week I would like to take this opportunity to pay respect to the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.”

“From all accounts The Smith Family has participated well in the Journey to Reconciliation and achieved some great results. As a national charity with a presence in 96 communities Australia-wide, The Smith Family is a strong reconciliation partner,” said Leah Armstrong, Chief Executive Office, Reconciliation Australia.

Every year across Australia, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated between 27 May and 3 June. These dates mark the anniversaries of two very significant events in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation: the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court’s Mabo decision.

In 2010, The Smith Family first signed the Statement of Commitment to signal our agreement to respect the authority of the Australian Parliament in enacting a reconciliation journey and pathway for all Australians to observe.

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