Conversations with The Smith Family

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, who has worked directly with families on The Smith Family's Learning for Life program over the past five years. Ben shares insights into how The Smith Family engages with parents, offering not just financial and program support, but the personal support needed to help children thrive at school. He also highlights the challenges families are facing right now and their resilience in overcoming barriers. CREDITSHost: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith FamilyGuest: Ben Blowers, Learning for Life Team Leader, The Smith FamilyAudio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCHLearn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on:Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustraliaInstagram @thesmithfamilyausLinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this important episode for Anti-Poverty Week, we meet James Manton, an alumni of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, who 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.James also offers valuable insights into how our society can better support young people experiencing poverty and how he's now giving back as a volunteer mentor to make a difference in another young person's life.  CREDITSHost: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith FamilyGuest: James Manton, Learning for Life AlumniAudio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCHLearn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on:Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustraliaInstagram @thesmithfamilyausLinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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.  Caroline McDaid, CEO of WorkVentures, shares insights into what can be done to bridge this digital divide and how organisations are working to ensure every young person has the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Caroline is also the NSW co-chair of Anti-Poverty Week, alongside The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor. Actions you can take this Anti-Poverty Week to help young Australians in need:  Support the call to end child poverty in AustraliaSupport The Smith Family’s Digital Learning Essentials programLearn how your organisation can donate technology through WorkVenturesCREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Caroline McDaid, CEO, WorkVentures Audio production: Mylk Media   GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au   Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family   The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

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. CREDITSHost: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith FamilyGuest: Mark Pearce, CEO, Volunteering AustraliaAudio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCHLearn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on:Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustraliaInstagram @thesmithfamilyausLinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this special episode, we feature highlights from our recent webinar, exploring how we can collectively support more young Australians to achieve success at school and beyond.Currently, one in four young Australians aren't completing year 12 or the equivalent – and the rate is much higher for young people experiencing disadvantage. Yet we know that higher educational attainment is associated with positive social and economic outcomes.This episode includes valuable insights from The Smith Family's Head of Research and Advocacy, Anne Hampshire, on our ongoing research into post-school pathways with over 2,000 young Australians, and a personal story from Cindy, a tertiary student on our Learning for Life program, who offers her perspective on what young people need to make a positive transition from school to further study or work. Plus, you’ll hear from our panellists, who share their views on ways to address the recent declines in school completion rates and ensure all young people are ready for a fast-changing labour market:·     Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, Chancellor of Western Sydney University;·     Christine Cawsey AM, Principal of Rooty Hill High School and a Board member at The Smith Family; and·     Dr Anthony Mann, Senior Policy Analyst, Directorate for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).You can watch the full webinar here.CREDITSHost: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith FamilyAudio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCHLearn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on:Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustraliaInstagram @thesmithfamilyausLinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This week, we're meeting two award-winning primary school principals who see firsthand the challenges and hopes of young people experiencing disadvantage.Alison Forthuber and Rachel Armer have been educators for more than two decades, leaving an indelible footprint on thousands of young people over that time.In this conversation, Alison and Rachel share their passion for education, their inspiring approaches to teaching and the importance of community connections to positively impact young lives. They also discuss the challenges facing students and educators today, and what gives them hope for the future. CREDITSHost: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith FamilyGuests: Alison Forthuber, Principal of Bellambi Public School, and Rachel Armer, Assistant Principal of Warilla North Public SchoolAudio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCHLearn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on:Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustraliaInstagram @thesmithfamilyausLinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.