Bairnsdale VIEW Club is calling on the local community to give generously to The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal this year, helping support thousands of children and young people experiencing disadvantage with their education.
It comes as The Smith Family’s latest Community Attitudes Survey of the Australian public reveals that four out of five respondents (83 per cent) believe tackling childhood poverty should be a top national priority.
The Winter Appeal aimed to raise almost $8 million by the end of June 2026 to support students experiencing disadvantage by providing access to proven out-of-school educational programs.
The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor said poverty should never limit a child’s potential or education.
“The results of our survey show Australians recognise poverty has an impact on a child’s education,” Mr Taylor said.
“However, what many people don’t see are the hidden impacts of disadvantage and the incredible emotional, social, and academic toll that can have on students during and after their schooling.
“The right educational support at the right time through our evidence-based programs can make all the difference, giving students the tools and resources to fulfil their potential.”
Among these programs is student2student, a one-on-one initiative pairing older and younger students to read together weekly, alongside free after-school Learning Clubs that offer tutoring and homework assistance.
These initiatives yield clear results: 94 per cent of children in student2student report improved reading, while 81 per cent of Learning Club participants say the program helps them perform better in the classroom.
VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) is a national network bringing women together for social activities and skill development while supporting disadvantaged children.
As the largest community sponsor of students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, VIEW plays a vital role nationwide. Locally, the Bairnsdale VIEW Club — supported by three private donors — currently sponsors 20 students through its ongoing fundraising efforts.
“Your donation today can have an enormous, life-changing impact for a student,” Mr Taylor said.
“Let’s make tackling childhood poverty and educational inequality a priority this winter.”
