The hidden struggle for Australia's country kids...
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But remoteness and isolation can also create real challenges – especially for children who need health and developmental support. For families living across rural and remote NSW, services are often too far away, too fragmented, or simply impossible to access. Too many children are left waiting at the very time they need help most.
Around 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five, and when early needs go unmet, the impact can shape a child’s learning, health, and wellbeing for years to come.¹ That’s why timely, early support isn’t just helpful – it’s critical.
Despite loving school, it was at an early age that Riley started experiencing delayed walking, speech and sensory sensitivities and challenges with emotional regulation with her peers.
Riley's mum, Shellie, knew she needed to get her daughter support but local referrals were often vague or non-existent. It was a continuous cycle of advocacy and persistent follow-ups, all leading to no help.
It wasn't until the Royal Far West's in-community team came to Dubbo that everything changed for Riley. A team of specialists, supported by donations like yours, were there for her.
The team not only assessed Riley, but they obvserved her in her real-world settings, listened to her community and worked together to understand her, within the context of her family, culture and community.
You can help change the story for children like Riley.
A life in the country is a life beyond the ordinary.
But for country kids, facing developmental and mental health challenges, isolation and distance can make it hard to access the specialist help they need.
Royal Far West is dedicated to going beyond for Australia's country kids, providing vital supports where and whenever it’s needed.
To reach every country kid who needs us, we need you.
Your gift helps deliver specialist care to country kids
$25
can help to provide connected, multi-disciplinary services and support to the entire network of family, educators and health professionals for a country kid, giving them the best possible opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential.
$50
can help a child living in a rural or remote Australian community access healthcare services like psychology, speech pathology and occupational therapy to build essential skills to thrive at home and school, and reach their full potential in life.
$100
can help to connect a struggling country child with a developmental and mental health specialist, to access the assessments, therapy and healthcare services needed to change their trajectory in life and give them every opportunity for a bright future.
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