Centenary Reception for The Smith Family, Admiralty House

[E&OE]

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Cammeraygal People of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present, emerging leaders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders gathered here today.

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Admiralty House. Linda and I are delighted to have you here.

It’s a significant year in the life of The Smith Family. One hundred years strong in 2022. A proud history of community service and of creating better futures together.

There is much to celebrate. That’s why Linda and I – in my role as Patron of The Smith Family and Linda as Patron of VIEW Clubs of Australia – wanted to host a Reception in your honour. We particularly want to say ‘thank you’.

To say thank you to The Smith Family’s extended family – the donors, sponsors, partners, Trusts and Foundations, and volunteers – all of whom have generously donated their time, expertise and funds to support the education of young Australians in need.

I often speak of the richness of spirit that Linda and I observe in our communities. All of you epitomise that characteristic and enrich our society with your generosity and compassion.

Today, we celebrate. But we do so in the knowledge that there is still much work to be done. One in six children and young people in Australia still live in poverty. The impact you are having in the community however makes me optimistic about our future.

So, thank you. Again, we extend a warm welcome to you all.

Underneath The Smith Family logo are the words ‘everyone’s family’; certainly, everyone has heard of The Smith Family.

I grew up in Port Kembla. Linda grew up in Hurstville. We were children of the 1950s and early sixties and all families knew of The Smith Family, particularly their second-hand stores – the White Elephants as they were called.

In thinking about that period, I am reminded of how much The Smith Family has evolved over the years and how it reaches into so many areas of Australian life. Education, health and aged care, recycling, emergency relief, its response to the pandemic – you name it, The Smith Family is there. 

One of the many things I like about The Smith Family’s approach to addressing issues is that it is informed by evidence. It’s ‘Digital Inclusion’ initiative is a fine example.

During the pandemic The Smith Family responded to an urgent need to support children’s remote learning. In discussions with families it found that the impact of COVID-19 highlighted the extent of the digital divide amongst families – for a whole host of reasons, one being a lack of digital technology in the household.

Based on the evidence, The Smith Family provided Digital Inclusion packs containing a laptop, internet access and technical support to 1,200 children. I’m informed a further 4,000 packs have since been distributed.

That’s just one example of The Smith Family ‘creating better futures’. There are countless others.

There’s no denying the powerful impact of The Smith Family in its first 100 years. 

From humble beginnings at an orphanage in Sydney, The Smith Family now operates in 90 communities across the country.

Its flagship ‘Learning for Life’ scholarship program continues to give young people the tools and resources they need to make better futures for themselves.

And, The Smith Family continues to give young people who have slipped through the cracks the greatest gift of all – hope. It is not false hope. It is hope as a result of evidence-based programs that work.

That’s why I am optimistic about our future. It is you who help fuel that optimism.

Again, to all involved with The Smith Family – thank you.

Linda and I are proud to be associated with the organisation and to shine a light on the impact of your work.

Congratulations on hitting a century! May there be many more.

[Ends]