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Commonwealth Bank gives generously to The Smith Family

Media releases

30 June 2014

The Smith Family has been awarded a grant of $10,000 by Commonwealth Bank staff, as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Bank Community Grants program.

As Australia’s largest children’s education charity, The Smith Family provides children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunities they need to create better futures for themselves.

In 2012-13, The Smith Family reached over 3000 young Tasmanians in four locations through its learning and mentoring programs as well as by providing financial assistance to help pay for educational expenses, such as books, stationery and school uniforms.

Providing assistance to children and families relies on the generosity of others and, according to The Smith Family’s Tasmanian General Manager, Ms Alison Standen, the Commonwealth Bank’s Community Grants Program is making a significant contribution towards the charity’s ability to do just this.

“Children and young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds have access to fewer resources and opportunities,” said Ms Standen.

“The Smith Family’s support gives these disadvantaged young Australians the help they need to make the most out of their schooling.

“That means providing them, their families and schools with a range of different supports. Sometimes that’s financial and at other times it’s providing access to our range of learning and mentoring programs.

“We are immensely grateful to the Commonwealth Bank because thanks to the Community Grant we can now purchase much-needed computers to support Smith Family staff as they deliver our programs to vulnerable children across the state.”

Don Ryan, 81 Elizabeth Street Commonwealth Bank Branch Manager, said: “We are pleased to support inspiring organisations that are helping young Australians.”

Commonwealth Bank Community Grants are made possible through the generosity of staff donations to the Staff Community Fund, which are then matched dollar-for-dollar by the Group.

As part of the 2014 Commonwealth Bank Community Grants program, more than 200 community organisations that support the health and wellbeing of Australian youth will receive individual grants of up to $10,000.

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