Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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10 June 2025
Welcome to ‘Conversations with The Smith Family’
In this series, our CEO Doug Taylor talks to leaders and experts from the world of education, philanthropy, not-for-profits, volunteering, government and research, as well as members of the Smith Family community, to uncover a range of perspectives on some of the biggest challenges facing young people today.
Watch the videos below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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. Every child deserves the chance to learn, do well at school, and succeed in life. And every student needs strong supports to do this – at school, at home and in their communities.
Interviews
Kristy Muir: How to create social change that sticks
How do we create lasting change to tackle inequality so children, families and communities can thrive? In this episode, social impact leader Professor Kristy Muir joins our CEO, Doug Taylor, to talk about what it takes. They cover everything from big-picture systems and purpose-driven leadership, to the ingredients of good collaboration and valuing community wisdom.
Jesse King: Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
What does success in education mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students? Jesse King – educator, advocate and policy leader – joins us to share a fresh perspective. He talks about the importance of valuing teachers, recognising difference, and making sure every student feels seen and safe. Plus, he explores how applying Indigenous Knowledge to STEM can spark curiosity – and even help young people solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Eddie Woo: Hope, potential & the power of a great teacher
In this episode, we’re joined by Eddie Woo, the award-winning maths teacher who has reached millions through his YouTube channel, Wootube. Behind the online success is a teacher deeply committed to equity and meaningful learning. Eddie shares what keeps him in the classroom, the power of relationships, how to connect with disengaged students and the small moments that can change a life.
Leslie Loble: AI and the future of education
Professor Leslie Loble AM joins our CEO, Doug Taylor, to unpack the real-world impact of AI and technology on learning and education. From personalised tutoring to the risk of widening inequality, Leslie shares insights on what this fast-moving tech means for students today and into the future. They dig into the impacts for young people experiencing disadvantage – and what it will take to ensure this tech revolution benefits all students, not just a lucky few.
Steve Biddulph: What children really need to thrive
In this episode, we're joined by family psychologist Steve Biddulph AM, one of the world’s best-known parenting educators and authors. He shares insights on the importance of role models in a child’s development and education journey, and how small moments of connection can have a lifelong impact. Steve also reflects on the pressures he sees children facing today, and how parents and educators can support them.
Georgie Dent: Fighting for every child to access early learning
In this episode, we chat with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood and one of Australia’s leading advocates for children, parents, carers and families. She makes a powerful case for why every child should have access to high-quality, affordable early learning and care, and how failing to provide that risks entrenching disadvantage from the very beginning.
David Gonski: Funding and fairness in Australian education
In this episode, we speak with business leader, philanthropist and education advocate David Gonski AC about the recent developments in Australian education reform and what’s needed to ensure every child – no matter their background – has the opportunity to succeed.
What I want for my children's education
In our final conversation for 2024, we meet Kelly, a parent with two children on our Learning for Life program. Kelly reflects on the year that’s been, as cost-of-living pressures continue to take a heavy toll on families, and her aspirations for her children’s education.
The true cost of creating impact
In this episode, we discuss Pay What It Takes, an initiative within the not-for-profit sector to address misconceptions around admin costs and why these shouldn’t be seen as a measure of a ‘good’ or 'bad' charity. Doug speaks with two of the co-founders of the campaign, Jo Taylor and Lisa Allan.
Building strong family partnerships
In this episode, we discuss the importance of building trusted partnerships with families to support their child’s education. The conversation draws on the experiences of Ben Blowers, a Team Leader at The Smith Family, who has worked directly with families on our Learning for Life program over the past five years.
Education support changed my life
With a powerful message for Anti-Poverty Week, James Manton, an alumni of our Learning for Life program, shares his deeply personal story of growing up in disadvantage, the impact it had on his education and how the right support at the right time helped him turn his life around.
Anti-Poverty week: tackling digital poverty
In the lead-up to Anti-Poverty Week, this conversation explores what poverty looks like in modern Australia and how digital poverty is leaving young people experiencing disadvantage further behind in education and employment opportunities.
The future of volunteering in field
Volunteers play a vital role in shaping our communities, yet volunteering rates in Australia are in decline. In this conversation, we hear from Mark Pearce, CEO of Volunteering Australia, about the changing nature of volunteering and efforts to revitalise volunteering for the future.
From school to success
In this special episode of Conversations with The Smith Family, we feature highlights from our recent webinar, exploring how we can collectively support more young Australians to achieve success at school and beyond.
The power of philanthropy
Philanthropy has been a mainstay of The Smith Family's history, helping to transform the lives of thousands of young Australians through education. In this conversation, we welcome Shamal Dass, a renowned expert in philanthropy and social impact, to explore the world of philanthropic giving and how people can make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Perspectives from parliament
How can governments and charities work together to support young people and strengthen our communities? We head to Parliament House for this conversation with The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment, addressing education reform, the future of volunteering, philanthropic giving and more.
Improving equity in education
Education is a transformative force, yet the path to higher education isn’t always easy. Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Sydney, discusses the challenges facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds and initiatives in the university sector to break down these barriers.
Understanding school attendance
School attendance is a complex issue affecting many students and families. Declining attendance levels have been making headlines in Australia and around the world. Dr Kirsten Hancock, The Smith Family’s National Manager, Research and Evaluation, breaks down the latest trends and challenges, emphasising the need for supportive, non-punitive measures.
Teachers transforming lives
Meet two remarkable primary school principals from the Illawarra region of New South Wales, who see firsthand the challenges and hopes for young people experiencing disadvantage. Alison Forthuber is the Principal of Bellambi Public School and Rachel Armer is the Assistant Principal of Warilla North Public School, both partner schools of The Smith Family.
Addressing educational inequity
As the Expert Panel finalises its report to Education Ministers on the National School Reform Agreement review, Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director, Travers McLeod, discusses what needs to happen to support student experiencing disadvantage to make the most of their education.
Schools for the future
President of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, Andy Mison, discusses what is needed to properly resource our schools to lift student outcomes and reduce educational inequality.
Conversations with Anne Hampshire
CEO of The Smith Family Doug Taylor sits down with the charity's head of research and advocacy, Anne Hampshire, to discuss the importance of the National School Reform Agreement. The Smith Family is calling for a range of policy changes under the new agreement to ensure schooling in Australia is better and fairer, especially for students experiencing disadvantage.
Building a better education system
The review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System is underway. High School Principal and Smith Family Board member, Christine Cawsey, talks to the challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds that must be addressed by the next National School Reform Agreement.
The women of VIEW
VIEW has over 14,000 members in 300 clubs throughout Australia and is the largest community sponsor of over 1,700 students experiencing disadvantage on the Learning for Life program
Giving back to people in need
Our former student, Shannon Hyde, grew up knowing what it was like to go without. Instead of hiding his background, he uses it to inform his leadership as the CEO of Simply Energy, where he mentors our current students in the paid Cadetship to Career internship program
Reconciliation week: Be a voice
To mark National Reconciliation Week, Anaiwan man and Smith Family board member Peter Radoll, talks to CEO Doug Taylor.
Celebrating our volunteers
In National Volunteers Week we celebrate our 5,200 volunteers, who in the past year alone donated more than 116,000 hours of service, with an estimated equivalent value of $3.7 million.
Insights on our learning programs
Our learning programs provide timely and targeted educational support for young Australians experiencing the impact of poverty and disadvantage.
Investing in the early years
Our evidence-based programs targeting early years literacy and numeracy are designed to support parents, and early childhood educators, to gain the skills and confidence to help young children to dream big and be ready to start school.
Digital inclusion
Ensuring all students on our flagship Learning for Life educational support program are digitally included, is a key ambition of The Smith Family’s Five-Year Strategy.
Educational inequality in Australia
Leading educational researcher, Dr Sue Thomson, reflects on educational inequality in Australia and what works to best assist children experiencing disadvantage who are struggling to succeed in their learning.
Data for purpose
Our work is evidence informed and outcomes focused to ensure our educational support programs can best assist the children and families we support.
Meet our strategic advisor
Peter Stumbles has had a ten year relationship with The Smith Family, not only as an individual supporter but also via his role as managing partner of Bain & Company.
Meet our board chair
Nicholas Moore joined The Smith Family as Board Chair in 2019 and has helped to guide and oversee the development of our new Five-Year Strategy.
Qim & Phoenix's story
Phoenix is among more than 3,000 students on our Learning for Life program who have been directly affected by the recent devastating floods in Queensland and northern NSW.
Teddy's story
Teddy is a proud Kamilaroi woman who wants to be a high school teacher out of respect and gratitude for her own teachers. She dreams of working in rural and remote communities. Watch video: 4.58m
