In our first conversation of 2025, Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, sits down with David Gonski AC, the driving force behind Australia’s landmark school funding reforms, to explore the current state of education and what’s needed to ensure every child – no matter their background – has the opportunity to succeed.

They discuss the legacy of the Gonski Report and the recent agreement to lift public school funding to the full amount recommended by the review. David also shares his views on what it takes to help young people thrive in tertiary education and the role of philanthropy in shaping better futures.

CREDITS

Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family

Guest: David Gonski AC

Audio production: Mylk Media

GET IN TOUCH

Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au

Connect with us on:

Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia

Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus

LinkedIn @the-smith-family

The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a new season of Conversations with The Smith Family – a podcast that dives into the big issues affecting young people, their education and their future.

Over eight episodes, we explore ideas to help tackle educational inequality in Australia and ensure every child has the chance to thrive at school and beyond.

Host Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, is joined by a stellar line-up of guests, including education reformer David Gonski, early childhood advocate Georgie Dent, parenting expert Steve Biddulph and Australia's favourite maths teacher, Eddie Woo.

New episodes will be released monthly, so be sure to hit the 'follow' button in your podcast app to catch our conversations when they land.

CREDITS

Series producers: Jacqui Ooi, Kim Batchelor

Audio production: Mylk Media

Video production: Brown Tree Productions

GET IN TOUCH

Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au

Connect with us on:

Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia

Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus

LinkedIn @the-smith-family

The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re bringing you some of the highlights from our first season of conversations. If you'd like to hear more, you can scroll back through the feed to find the full episodes.

This series has explored the work being done across the Australian community to help young people change their futures through the power of education.

From expert insights to deeply moving personal stories, we've heard about some of the most pressing issues affecting young people today and how we can all make a positive difference in their lives.

Thank you to all of our guests for sharing your stories and experiences, and to you, our listeners, for your support of the show.

We’ll be back with more conversations in 2025.

CREDITS

Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family

Series producer: Jacqui Ooi

Audio production: Mylk Media

GET IN TOUCH

Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au

Connect with us on:

Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia

Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus

LinkedIn @the-smith-family

The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.