Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs The generosity that inspired a lifetime of giving
12 July 2023
Austin has been supporting The Smith Family for over 40 years as both a volunteer and a donor. Since the day he discovered the generosity of our supporters, he has been an enthusiastic member of our community, helping young Australians create better futures for themselves.
He remembers the feeling of receiving this generosity when he moved from Korea in 1977 with his wife and three small children. At that time, The Smith Family accepted donated goods and provided them to people and families who needed them, including Austin’s.
He remembers the feeling of receiving this generosity when he moved from Korea in 1977 with his wife and three small children. At that time, The Smith Family accepted donated goods and provided them to people and families who needed them, including Austin’s.
Arriving in their unit was an exciting time, but their luggage was running late.
“We managed to cook rice on the electric stove, but we had no bowls to eat with,” remembers Austin. “I found an apple packing cardboard box outside and placed it upside down for a table. I laid a sheet of newspaper for a tablecloth and we ate our meal with the children sitting around it.”
When a kind neighbour noticed the family eating dinner without any furniture in their unit, they called The Smith Family. Help was swift to arrive in the form of a removalist truck full of useful things. Austin was overwhelmed with gratitude.
The gift that I received is the spirit of The Smith Family, not material. We will continue to support The Smith Family with a mission to return this gift back to society.
“In this way our Australian life warmly began with the kind help of The Smith Family,” Austin recalls.
This act of generosity and consideration had an impact on Austin. He reached out to The Smith Family and asked if there was any way he could help.
"I was told that I could join The Smith Family volunteers or make a donation if I wanted. I became a volunteer on the spot and made a small donation."
Over 40 years later The Smith Family now supports young Australians experiencing disadvantage to get the most out of their education.
And Austin continues to be a proud volunteer and supporter.
“The gift that I received is the spirit of The Smith Family, not material. We will continue to support The Smith Family with a mission to return this gift back to society," says Austin.
Austin was especially inspired by The Smith Family’s 1922 origins – of five businessmen giving toys to children at Christmas and naming themselves ‘Smith’ when asked who they were.
“I knew then that The Smith Family meant nameless good deeds,” says Austin. “Even the founders do not have a name and they only exist under the name The Smith Family.”
As a volunteer, Austin has helped provide Christmas gifts through our Toy and Book appeal to the students and families The Smith Family supports. He is always struck by the smiles on the faces of children as he delivers the gifts.
Reflecting on his time supporting The Smith Family, Austin acknowledges the connection he has experienced with our organisation and the work we do, “I am 81 years old this year and being with The Smith Family has been one of the most significant rewards of my life.”
Thank you to Austin and all of our supporters!
