Carrying on a Tradition of Giving and Compassion
01 March 2022
How do you capture what The Smith Family has done in 100 years in a five-minute speech? 20 years for every minute - it’s just impossible, there are so many inspirational stories to tell. Believe me, I’ve been reading so many of them.
Since five businessmen delivered gifts to boys in an orphanage in 1922, Australia has seen many changes and faced numerous challenges – the depression, wars, countless natural disasters, and a technological revolution, among other things.
At each point, The Smith Family has been there: a way for Australians to support fellow Australians in need. A key moment came for us in 1987 when we asked the families we supported what was most important to them.
Their response: help us educate our children. Their voices – coupled with our long-standing focus on using the very best evidence in research – saw us forge a new path for our work. We would grow nationally and transform our work to harness the power of education as the pathway to a better future for young Australians in need. We have had the courage to make change and to change ourselves in the process.
We believe in the abundant capability, resources and generosity of the Australian community. We believe it because we have seen it time and time again. Today we are majority funded by partners and individuals, who are carrying on the tradition of giving and compassion that started with the five pioneering Smiths.
Financial support helps students on our programs to unlock their full potential. Young people also tell us that our programs and knowing somebody cares enough to provide this support makes them feel valued and is a great motivator. Thank you to all of our supporters.
And of course, I want to acknowledge our VIEW Clubs – 14,000 amazing women. They have been supporting TSF for over 60 years and they are change makers in their 300 communities and play a vital role in creating strong social connections, the bedrock of a strong community.
In addition, we have over 7,600 volunteers working selflessly across the nation who make so much possible. Last year they donated more than 150,000 hours of their time.
Of course, we recognise the incredible dedication of our community and school partners and the vital role of teachers. Teachers, along with our team members, so often go the extra mile in supporting our students.
Most importantly of all, we celebrate our students and their parents and carers. The life challenges you face are real and significant, and we pay tribute to your resilience, courage and hard work. We are committed to listening to you and working with you and your community.
Standing alongside Australians in need, we have risen together to challenges in the past. We’ve done that again in response to the COVID pandemic which has presented new challenges for our community but also shone a light on the plight of young people living in poverty.
As a nation we have made much progress and have never been wealthier. We have a world class education system, supported by incredibly dedicated teachers. Despite these realities, large numbers of young people live in poverty and the gap for these young people with their peers in educational outcomes continues to grow. We should not kid ourselves; this reality curtails the life trajectory of a young person and diminishes us as a nation.
Like we have done throughout history, we will continue to listen to young people and work with them and others to find a better way. And we will continue to use evidence to learn and improve how we respond effectively to the increasingly multifaceted and compounding challenges our students and families face, whilst also reaching more people through our Learning for Life program, given the extent of need in our community.
At the heart of all this is people, and most importantly the children and families we support. Every single one of our supporters has helped create transformational change for young Australians in need. The power of that legacy is significant. The ripple effect extends beyond those young people we support – it’s felt by families, communities and, as a nation, Australia benefits too. The long-term effects are positive and enduring.
Let me conclude by quoting Nelson Henderson, a Canadian farmer who said to his son’s at his graduation, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”.
The above was adapted from a speech delivered by CEO Doug Taylor at a Smith Family Centenary celebration with the Governor-General at Admiralty House. Doug Taylor is pictured with Learning for Life tertiary student, Priya.
Since five businessmen delivered gifts to boys in an orphanage in 1922, Australia has seen many changes and faced numerous challenges – the depression, wars, countless natural disasters, and a technological revolution, among other things.
At each point, The Smith Family has been there: a way for Australians to support fellow Australians in need. A key moment came for us in 1987 when we asked the families we supported what was most important to them.
Their response: help us educate our children. Their voices – coupled with our long-standing focus on using the very best evidence in research – saw us forge a new path for our work. We would grow nationally and transform our work to harness the power of education as the pathway to a better future for young Australians in need. We have had the courage to make change and to change ourselves in the process.
We believe in the abundant capability, resources and generosity of the Australian community. We believe it because we have seen it time and time again. Today we are majority funded by partners and individuals, who are carrying on the tradition of giving and compassion that started with the five pioneering Smiths.
Financial support helps students on our programs to unlock their full potential. Young people also tell us that our programs and knowing somebody cares enough to provide this support makes them feel valued and is a great motivator. Thank you to all of our supporters.
And of course, I want to acknowledge our VIEW Clubs – 14,000 amazing women. They have been supporting TSF for over 60 years and they are change makers in their 300 communities and play a vital role in creating strong social connections, the bedrock of a strong community.
In addition, we have over 7,600 volunteers working selflessly across the nation who make so much possible. Last year they donated more than 150,000 hours of their time.
Of course, we recognise the incredible dedication of our community and school partners and the vital role of teachers. Teachers, along with our team members, so often go the extra mile in supporting our students.
Most importantly of all, we celebrate our students and their parents and carers. The life challenges you face are real and significant, and we pay tribute to your resilience, courage and hard work. We are committed to listening to you and working with you and your community.
Standing alongside Australians in need, we have risen together to challenges in the past. We’ve done that again in response to the COVID pandemic which has presented new challenges for our community but also shone a light on the plight of young people living in poverty.
As a nation we have made much progress and have never been wealthier. We have a world class education system, supported by incredibly dedicated teachers. Despite these realities, large numbers of young people live in poverty and the gap for these young people with their peers in educational outcomes continues to grow. We should not kid ourselves; this reality curtails the life trajectory of a young person and diminishes us as a nation.
Like we have done throughout history, we will continue to listen to young people and work with them and others to find a better way. And we will continue to use evidence to learn and improve how we respond effectively to the increasingly multifaceted and compounding challenges our students and families face, whilst also reaching more people through our Learning for Life program, given the extent of need in our community.
At the heart of all this is people, and most importantly the children and families we support. Every single one of our supporters has helped create transformational change for young Australians in need. The power of that legacy is significant. The ripple effect extends beyond those young people we support – it’s felt by families, communities and, as a nation, Australia benefits too. The long-term effects are positive and enduring.
Let me conclude by quoting Nelson Henderson, a Canadian farmer who said to his son’s at his graduation, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”.
The above was adapted from a speech delivered by CEO Doug Taylor at a Smith Family Centenary celebration with the Governor-General at Admiralty House. Doug Taylor is pictured with Learning for Life tertiary student, Priya.