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Brooke Boney and Wendy Harmer join Sarah Harris in advocating for Australian students in need.

Media releases

06 April 2022

The stars join The Smith Family as the charity celebrates 100 years

Images available here

National children’s education charity The Smith Family has announced that Wendy Harmer and Today’s Brooke Boney have joined the organisation to help it celebrate a century of creating better futures for children in need.

The Smith Family currently supports the education of more than 58,000 Australian students living in disadvantage through its flagship Learning for Life program, which provides a student with financial assistance for their educational expenses, personal support provided by a family support worker, and learning and mentoring programs.

The charity works to empower students through targeted, long-term support – including a focus on careers education to help students successfully transition from school, tertiary education or training into the workforce.

Brooke Boney said: “I'm delighted to lend my support to The Smith Family in their centenary year to help raise money for families doing it tougher than most.
I've been fortunate during my life to have had support at times when I've needed it, so I'm happy to try to help others with The Smith Family.”

Wendy Harmer said: “I’m so pleased to be invited to be a Centenary Champion for The Smith Family.

My late father once said to me of his 45 years as a country teacher and headmaster ‘I have had the luckiest of lives. To spend my time in the company of children, all hungry to learn - to see their minds spark with excitement when they understood a lesson? It has been the greatest gift.’

In honour of my clever, dedicated father who was a wonderful teacher who loved kids and knew what education could achieve in their lives, I’m proud to honour his legacy.”

The Smith Family’s CEO, Doug Taylor, said: “We are absolutely chuffed to have Brooke and Wendy on board to help us advocate for Australian students experiencing disadvantage. After several years of education disruption due to the pandemic, The Smith Family’s work supporting children’s education is more important than ever. Brooke and Wendy will help shine a spotlight on what’s needed to ensure that thousands of students living in disadvantage can return to their learning in 2022, equipped with the resources and support they need to make the most of their learning.
Like us, they believe that every child, no matter their circumstances, should have the opportunity to realise their full potential in life.”

Brooke and Wendy join The Smith Family’s long time ambassador, Studio 10 presenter Sarah Harris. Harris has been a proud champion for the charity for seven years.

About Brooke Boney
Brooke Boney is a Presenter at Channel Nine’s Today program. A journalist since 2010, Brooke became well known around the country through her role as a popular morning news presenter at Triple J. A proud Gamilaroi woman, she has consistently advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

About Wendy Harmer
Wendy Harmer is a celebrated Australian journalist, author, broadcaster, and comedian. A long-time supporter of The Smith Family and its work, and a Learning for Life child sponsor herself, Wendy is a passionate about ensuring all children have a chance to fulfil their potential through education.

Media Enquiries:
Sophie Eaton, Media Advisor | 0447 571 397 | sophie.eaton@thesmithfamily.com.au

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