The Smith Family News
Here you can find the latest Smith Family media releases and news clippings. You can also check out our regular newsletter, fast facts, our speeches and articles, plus read student and family profiles.
All media enquiries should be directed to our PR and Media Advisors.
If you're a member of the media or you're simply looking for up to date news, this is a great place to start.
Top stories
Read the latest news on activities, events and happenings plus our breaking news.
Announcement from the Board of The Smith Family
Published:
27 July 2010
The Board of The Smith Family paid tribute to Elaine Henry today following the announcement that she is to step down as CEO of The Smith Family, effective 31 December 2010.
Media releases
Read our media releases to keep on top of all our news.
The Smith Family to expand support for disadvantaged families in Cairns
Published:
7 September 2010
The Smith Family launched its first office in Cairns today, September 7* at an event hosted by Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier. The new office, based at Balaclava State School, will help The Smith Family expand its suite of services allowing them to offer more mentoring and literacy programs that support children's education.
CONverging on a musical career
Published:
7 September 2010
Sixteen year old Auburn resident Lute Halahala dreams about singing in Madison Square Garden with her musical heroes John Legend and Lauryn Hill. The Smith Family, together with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is helping Lute to make her dreams a reality with their Converge music program.
Converge helps students develop their own musical identity, creativity and teamwork skills while working on improving individual singing.
Voice of women comes to Canberra to mark 50 years
Published:
7 September 2010
More than 800 women from across Australia will descend on Canberra for the national VIEW Clubs Convention from 17 to 19 September, celebrating 50 years of the women's organisation in Australia. Speaking at the convention is a forum of influential women from the last 50 years including Ita Buttrose, Pru Goward MP, Senator Kate Lundy, Naseema Sparks, Virginia Haussegger and Noeline Brown.
Parents need to read with their young children more
Published:
27 August 2010
The Smith Family is calling on parents and carers to read more than three times a week with their pre-school aged children in an effort to improve their performance at school.
Speaking out during National Literacy Week (29 August - 4 September), The Smith Family CEO Elaine Henry said that their research showed that reading with your children less often could lead to problems at school.
VIEW clubs in Werribee to celebrate the name of the rose
Published:
20 August 2010
Women from VIEW clubs across Victoria will gathered at the Victoria State Rose Garden, Werribee, on Wednesday to plant a rose created in their honour.
Colgate Palmolive helps Bankstown and Fairfield students brush up on career options
Published:
20 August 2010
Villawood Colgate Palmolive employees shared their skills and experience with 24 students from Chester Hill High School and Fairfield High School on Friday 20 August, as part of an initiative designed to help students successfully transition from high school to the workplace.
Demolition derby work keeps young people at school
Published:
11 August 2010
St George Illawarra's star forward Michael Weyman presented a Holden Commodore to six local young people yesterday, Tuesday, 10 August so they may modify the vehicle for entry into the Albion Park Show demolition derby in January.
7 signs of a healthy future in Tasmania
Published:
11 August 2010
More than 150 children and their parents will take part in workshops this month as part of a program looking at seven health and wellbeing premises - attitude, air, nutrition, sunshine, water, exercise and rest.
PLAYFORD GETS ACTIVE WITH LET’S READ
Published:
27 July 2010
Children aged up to five years and their parents were treated to a program of fun and free activities to promote physical activity, as well as the benefits of reading, today at the Elizabeth Civic Centre Library.
Family Learning Clubs launched in Tasmania
Published:
12 July 2010
Elaine Henry, CEO of national children's charity The Smith Family, will visit Hobart to celebrate the commencement of the first of eight Family Learning Clubs in Tasmania, together with the Chairwoman of the Tasmanian Community Fund, Lynn Mason, on Monday 12 July.
Students and online mentors met face to face as part of The Smith Family program in Perth
Published:
1 July 2010
Mentors from UWA met with Yule Brook College for a face-to-face session of The Smith Family's iTrack mentoring program on June 30.
Help a childs learning today - become a volunteer
Published:
1 July 2010
Demand among Tamworth primary school students for after school hours homework support has seen The Smith Family expand its Learning Centre offering to more students this year, but volunteer tutors are desperately needed.
Students get down to business with online mentoring
Published:
1 July 2010
Six business studies students from Edward John Eyre High School are reaping the rewards of online correspondence with professional business mentors this term via The Smith Family's iTrack program.
Room with a view in Golden Grove
Published:
1 July 2010
Demand for a forum within which local women can meet new people, raise their voices on issues of national concern, fundraise for charity and have fun, has resulted in the formation of the Golden Grove VIEW Club, which is now recruiting new members.
All welcome at Shoalhaven careers expo
Published:
1 July 2010
The sixth annual Shoalhaven Careers Expo, co-ordinated by The Smith Family, will be held on Friday June 25, offering students, parents, jobseekers, career changers and people with special needs, the chance to explore their career options.
Pembroke students give of their time to help others to read
Published:
1 July 2010
Twelve Pembroke College students, ranging in age from 12 to 16, will give up 20 minutes of their free time three times a week over the next two school terms to help younger students improve their literacy skills.
Age no barrier to community commitment
Published:
4 June 2010
A 91-year-old Adelaide VIEW Club member has raised more than $1,000 for The Smith Family.
Same dreams for Aussie kids
Published:
1 June 2010
National opinion poll reveals kids aspirations
Auction of artwork by Bill Leak
Published:
31 May 2010
Auction of artwork by Bill Leak with proceeds to benefit early literacy
Pantera Press, with the consent of renowned artist, Bill Leak, has generously made 5 signed prints of his artwork available for auction via eBay, to raise funds for The Smith Family.
The original artwork by Bill Leak, one of Australia's best known political cartoonists, is the cover to Simon Benson's new book BETRAYAL, published by Pantera Press.
Shepparton students share an education
Published:
21 May 2010
A university education is one step closer for Shepparton secondary school students, thanks to a new partnership between The Smith Family, La Trobe University and McGuire College, Shepparton.
Young Aspiring Leaders Face New Challenges
Published:
19 May 2010
More than 30 students face new challenges
Computers for Newcastle families
Published:
17 May 2010
Sixteen families have benefited from The Smith Family's Tech Packs Project.
Taste of big city life for Alice Springs girls
Published:
17 May 2010
A group of indigenous school girls will travel from Alice Springs to Melbourne for a week-long excursion arranged by The Smith Family.
Sydney students help others to read
Published:
17 May 2010
Students ranging in age from 12 to 16 will give up 20 minutes of their free time three times a week over the next two school terms to help younger students improve their literacy skills.
Governor of Victoria hosts VIEW women
Published:
11 May 2010
A Vice Regal Reception hosted by Professor David de Kretser, AC, Governor of Victoria, at Government House in Melbourne, on Tuesday 11 May will celebrate 50 years....
Kids develop literacy in Bundaberg
Published:
11 May 2010
Animated, interactive storytelling as part of the Let's Read program will come to the Bundaberg Child and Family Services Community Expo on Friday 14 May.
Central Coast volunteers wanted
Published:
11 May 2010
During National Volunteers Week The Smith Family is seeking tutors for Central Coast Learning Clubs.
Good Books Doing Good Things
Published:
4 May 2010
The Smith Family and new independent book publisher Pantera Press have today announced a new partnership. It focuses on raising funds to improve children's early years literacy skills and foster the joys of reading in disadvantaged areas of Australia.
Fairies and farmers converge on Hobart
Published:
3 May 2010
More than 100 parents and children experienced an interactive educational theatre performance at the Riverside Community Garden and Nursery in Bridgewater.
WA families given free computers
Published:
3 May 2010
Nine Port Hedland families have benefited from the Tech Packs Project, which has provided them with refurbished computers and internet packages at no cost thanks to funding from Waris.
Sunshine Coast volunteers sought
Published:
3 May 2010
Help develop children's literacy skills by volunteering for Let's Read in Queensland.
VIEW Club expands in Queensland
Published:
23 April 2010
Growing interest among Brisbane women in making a difference in their local communities and supporting The Smith Family...
Literacy by phone in Ballarat
Published:
21 April 2010
A group of Ballarat students is about to discover that a telephone call can change lives.
Girls at the Centre meet with success
Published:
12 April 2010
A new Girls' Room will open in Alice Springs in support of the Girls at the Centre program participants
Support for promising students
Published:
8 April 2010
The University of Sydney has renewed a partnership commitment to The Smith Family.
Kids helping kids in Maroubra
Published:
6 April 2010
Maroubra Public School students were recognised for their donation of hundreds of bags of second-hand clothing to The Smith Family.
Volunteers needed in Sunshine
Published:
29 March 2010
An after-school learning club set up to help Sunshine primary and secondary school students with their homework is struggling to find volunteer tutors.
Voice of VIEW celebrates 50 years
Published:
26 March 2010
Vice Regal Reception at Government House
Savings program launches in Ipswich
Published:
26 March 2010
The Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, together with Elaine Henry, will launch Saver Plus in Ipswich, QLD.
Warragul student on fast track to success
Published:
15 March 2010
A Victorian Tertiary Scholarship recipient can now pursue the career of her dreams.
Triple celebration in Dubbo
Published:
8 March 2010
A new Dubbo office, the availability of a free financial education program and the success of recent Year 12 graduates were reason to celebrate.
Karratha school takes healthy approach
Published:
8 March 2010
Karratha Primary School in Perth has embraced a fresh approach to student health and education thanks to the Bluearth Program supported by The Smith Family and Woodside.
Government House Open Day
Published:
5 March 2010
The Smith Family is inviting Canberra residents to enjoy a day of historical exploration, unique entertainment and enriching culture at The Smith Family Government House Open Day on Sunday 14th March.
New bikes for Central Coast students
Published:
1 March 2010
Budgewoi Primary School students test rode the 20 new bicycles their school was provided with this week courtesy of The Smith Family.
Tertiary Awards celebration in Melbourne
Published:
24 February 2010
Seventy Victorian students will be recognised for their success
Seeking Brimbank volunteers
Published:
15 February 2010
Residents with a passion for education are being sought to help run a new after-school learning support program for children in West Sunshine.
Tertiary orientation in Parramatta
Published:
12 February 2010
Seventy-seven students from Sydney's metropolitan area have received Tertiary Scholarships through The Smith Family and will come together for an orientation session.
Xstrata donates computers to students
Published:
12 February 2010
Thirteen Brisbane students have been offered refurbished computers thanks to the generosity of a Brisbane company.
Graduation celebration in Tamworth
Published:
5 February 2010
A celebration in Tamworth has marked the recent recent graduation of eight Year 12 students...