Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children this Christmas.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Donate now

Educational achievements of young Indigenous leaders recognised

Media releases

10 December 2018

The educational achievements of 56 of Australia’s future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders were celebrated on the weekend at The Smith Family’s (IYLP) Indigenous Youth Leadership Program graduation ceremony held in Darwin.

The IYLP gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people the opportunity to complete their education at some of the country’s most high-achieving secondary schools.

Many IYLP students come from areas in remote and regional Australia, including Tennant Creek, Galiwinku, Daly River, Tiwi, Jabiru, Broome and Halls Creek.

The Smith Family CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien said the program makes an important contribution towards closing the gap in Year 12 attainment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

National data shows that Year 12 or equivalent attainment for Indigenous 20- to 24-year-olds increased to 65 per cent in 2016 – compared with 89 per cent for all non-Aboriginal students.¹

“Students who apply for an IYLP scholarship are often from a community where educational opportunities are limited. Having the chance to broaden their horizons can open up a world of possibilities,” Dr O’Brien said.

“With the support of our partner schools, students can study a wide range of subjects, learn about different career pathways and realise their aspirations for the future. Many of these students inspire other young people back in their community too, so there’s a positive ripple effect.

“I congratulate all of the students on the program this year for their successful graduation from high school, and I wish them every success for their future.”

Shonica Talal from Yirrkala in the Northern Territory delivered the graduating speech on behalf of the students. Ms Talal boarded at St Scholastica's College in Sydney and said the program had built her confidence and expanded her options.

“I’m gaining amazing opportunities which, if I was at home, I wouldn’t be able to participate in – and meeting new people and making friends has been great,” Ms Talal said.

“As far as my HSC work goes, the thing of which I am most proud is my major work for Aboriginal Studies. I decided to produce a children’s book called ‘Animals of Arnhem Land’. I did 15 paintings of animals from home, after consulting with family and other community members, as well as collecting stories associated with each animal. I also used some Yolngu Matha language throughout the book.”

Ms Talal said she is joining the Military Police in the Australian Defence Force in 2019.

Facilitated by national children’s education charity The Smith Family, the IYLP is funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy. The IYLP works with 19 education partners across the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

The Smith Family’s work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students:

As Australia’s largest children’s education charity, The Smith Family is committed to working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families to help close the gap in educational outcomes.
More than 19,000 children and young people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds participate in learning and mentoring programs run by The Smith Family, such as the Learning for Life sponsorship program, the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program and Girls at the Centre.
The Smith Family’s 2017-20 Reconciliation Action Plan signals our organisation’s continued public commitment to the reconciliation process. Our 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.

Media Enquiries: Louise Merrillees, Media Advisor | 0422 018 522 | louise.merrilles@thesmithfamily.com.au

¹ Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Closing the Gap Prime Minister’s Report 2018.

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