Helping Country Kids Access Services

Friday, 25 November 2011 11:40

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

23 November 2011

Helping Country Kids Access Services

Business, community, sporting and political leaders came together on Monday night to improve access to specialist healthcare and literacy education for country children.

Country Music King Lee Kernaghan and the Hon John Howard AC headlined the fundraising dinner attended by over 300 guests at NSW Parliament House

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson attended Monday night's event. "Under the auspice of Royal Far West the NSW Centre for Effective Reading provides critical services which are especially important for children and parents in regional areas", Mr Anderson said.

"Royal Far West enables country children access to specialist services where they can not only obtain the best clinical care but also additional support through early intervention strategies which promote their individual wellbeing and emotional resilience." 

"The NSW Centre for Effective Reading runs a 4 week intensive residential literacy program to provide children who need a bit of extra help the chance to catch up."

"Run out of Manly the education clinics give students and their parents time to work with specialist staff and new technologies to better understand and manage long term educational challenges."

"The residential service is especially important for our regional families as they can stay together to provide the critical support which is necessary when away from home."

""In addition to the clinics, students and their schools receive up to two terms of ongoing support from the Centre, which also monitors their progress for a minimum of 12 months."

"Royal Far West has a long, proud history in supporting families across rural NSW, and it's involvement in this educational program is very welcome."

More than 270 students from rural NSW are expected to be supported through the Centre this year. The Centre's expertise is available to more than 950 government and non-government rural primary schools.

ENDS