Media Releases

01 Aug 2010 - JULIA GILLARD AND JIM STYNES HELP TOMORROW'S LEADERS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

Campaign Media Release

PRIME MINISTER
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
MINISTER FOR YOUTH

JULIA GILLARD AND JIM STYNES HELP TOMORROW'S LEADERS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

The Gillard Labor Government will support the Reach Foundation to extend its teacher training and support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to get the best start they can to their adult life.

The Reach Foundation was established by Jim Stynes OAM and Paul Currie in 1994 to encourage all young people, no matter what their circumstances, to believe they can achieve.

"There are few Australians held in higher regard than Jim Stynes  his is a remarkable story," Prime Minister Gillard said.

"He has 'lifted the bar' when it comes to giving back to his club, the game he loves and his community."

Since its inception, the Reach Foundation has been a remarkable success story, touching the lives of over half a million young Australians.

While attending the Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne, Prime Minister Gillard announced $4 million in funding to the Reach Foundation to ensure even more young people will benefit from the programs including:

" Training teachers so they can help teenagers who are being bullied, suffering from depression or at risk of substance misuse.

" Training Indigenous teachers and teachers in Indigenous communities to support young aboriginal students in Years 8 and 9, who are at risk of dropping out of school.

"Jim has inspired hundreds of thousands of Australians through his passion and his life's work with the Reach Foundation, and today we are proud to be providing more support," Prime Minister Gillard said.

"Reach is about young people inspiring young people and nobody does that better than Jim Stynes."

Minister for Education Simon Crean said that teacher training under this program will support annual camps for 20 teachers and eight one day workshops for 40 teachers.

"The 1,000 teachers trained by the Foundation's workshops will help 19,500 students  a significant boost to Reach's potential to support young people who could do with a hand," Simon Crean said.

Reach's young crew will help equip teachers with the skills they need to engage at-risk students.

This funding will also make sure that at least 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in rural and regional schools across the country will be provided with mentoring to help equip them to deal with the challenges that life throws their way.

The Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis recognised the Reach Foundation's contribution to young people over nearly two decades.

"Every year, around 500 schools, 300 teachers and 58,000 teenagers are supported by the Reach Foundation under its proven and preventative programs" Kate Ellis said.

MELBOURNE
1 AUGUST 2010

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