Kookaburra Cinema reopening
Dear Echo News,

Picking up a copy of the Echo I was absolutely delighted to hear that the Kookaburra Cinema will be reopening next month.

The most wonderful and welcome news.

After the terrible damage done by the storm last winter, the thought of the cinema not becoming operational again was most distressing – such a valuable, iconic asset to the Perth Hills.

Thanks to the prisoners who, apparently, did an amazing job in clearing all the debris.

We have been regular patrons of Kookaburra and we shall be first in line for when the first movie – no matter what it is – is screened.

Can’t wait.

I Sanderson
Kalamunda

The link between poverty and the homeless
Dear Echo News,

Anti-Poverty Week (October 13-19) gives us a chance to focus on homelessness and its strong connections with poverty.

In Australia, more than 3.3 million people live in poverty, including more than 760,000 children.

Every hour, 3000 people in Australia seek help from homelessness services like those provided by Mission Australia.

Our recent report with Orygen showed one in five young people faced financial stress in 2023.

Through my work as state director at Mission Australia, I see how homelessness – deeply entwined with poverty – goes beyond lacking a safe home; it affects mental health, employment opportunities and overall quality of life.

That’s why Mission Australia urges the federal government to make important changes, like raising jobseeker and youth allowance payments to at least $80 a day, improving rental assistance and greater investment in social and affordable housing.

We also support a $500m homelessness prevention transformation fund to help people avoid homelessness altogether.

At Mission Australia, we want to live in a country where homelessness and poverty doesn’t exist.

This week and always, we call for solutions to break the link between poverty and homelessness.

Together, let’s work towards a future where everyone has a safe home and can thrive.

S Budalich
Mission Australia

Smith Family shines the light on poverty
Dear Echo News,

National education charity The Smith Family is shining a light this Anti-Poverty Week, October 13-19 on the deepening digital divide that is holding many students back from making the most of their education, as part of a wider push to end child poverty.

Access to an appropriate digital device is crucial for a child’s success at school.

But students experiencing disadvantage often cannot afford such items, limiting their participation in education and employment opportunities.

Gone are the days when pen and paper were the key materials a child needed at school.

Digital devices are now non-negotiable in both the classroom and at home.

Students simply cannot hope to complete their homework and assignments without having these items and being digitally connected.

Currently, 30 per cent of students supported through The Smith Family’s learning for life education program are not digitally included, meaning they don’t have access to a laptop or tablet, either their own or shared, in a household with mobile or broadband internet.

Digital inclusion means more than just having access to a device and a reliable internet connection.

It also involves having the necessary skills and support to navigate the online world.

The latest NAP ICT literacy report found 25 per cent of Year 10 students and 40 per cent of Year 6 students don’t have access to a suitable device outside school.

I have serious concerns about the ability of all students to thrive in the modern-day classroom and to be adequately prepared for future work and study opportunities if they do not have access to the necessary digital resources, home internet and technological support, as well as the chance to develop their digital literacy skills.

During Anti-Poverty Week, The Smith Family, WorkVentures and Good Things Foundation, are jointly highlighting the growing issue of digital poverty.

Work Ventures has supplied The Smith Family with 6400 refurbished laptops over the last two financial years.
For more information, visit www.antipovertyweek.org.au

Or to donate to close the digital divide for students, visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au

D Taylor
Smith Family CEO