July 2002

Education support for Mallee children

An increasing number of Victorian families will have access to financial assistance and educational support following the launch of a unique partnership between two of Victoria’s leading community organisations.

The Smith Family and Mallee Family Care have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly deliver the highly successful Learning for Life program and Chances for Children as a pilot project in the Mallee region.

Chief Executive Officer Elaine Henry said the partnership is indicative of how The Smith Family is working with and through locally based organisations to address financial disadvantage and strengthen communities.

‘The values and aspirations of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program are closely aligned with those of Mallee Family Care’s Chances for Children initiative,’ she said.

‘The Learning for Life program provides educational support and financial assistance to disadvantaged Australian students and their families.

It is focused on increasing children’s ability to actively participate in all of the educational opportunities available at school.

‘By providing families with assistance to help pay for all of the extra costs of going to school such as uniforms, text books, excursions, calculators, backpacks and special activities, Learning for Life is ensuring kids don’t miss out simply because of their financial circumstances.

‘These children then have a better chance of staying at school or going on to higher education.

‘Similarly, Chances for Children aims to ensure that the absence of money does not stand in the way of young people’s ability to achieve their maximum potential, whether it be in educational, social or cultural pursuits.’

Ms Henry officially launched the partnership with Mallee Family Care’s Executive Director Vernon Knight in Mildura during a special function to mark the first anniversary of Chances for Children.

The agreement sees around 470 new Learning for Life scholarships created in Victoria.

They will be supported by an Education Support Worker from The Smith Family and staff from Mallee Family Care.

Financial support from the Buckland Foundation and the Ian Potter Foundation will enable the employment of a Mildura-based Project Manager and a Mentor Coordinator respectively.

‘By joining forces to share expertise, knowledge and programs, community organisations like ours can ensure that assistance is delivered effectively—where and when it is needed most,’ Ms Henry said.

Learning for Life currently supports more that 16,000 students from primary through to tertiary levels of education in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.

• For more information on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program call 1800 633 622 or visit www.smithfamily.com.au. For more information on the Mallee Family Care project or Chances for Children contact Project Manager Fiona Harley on 5023 5966.