Central Coast KIDS IN NEED

Being around 90 km from Sydney as well as from Newcastle is usually a great advantage for Central Coast residents, but perhaps the one big downside is that if you’re a family who needs to take a child to hospital in either of those cities, you don’t qualify for the 100 km distance criteria that allows you to access government assistance for accommodation and travel costs. That’s one of the ways Central Coast Kids in Need has helped over 4,265 Central Coast families with assistance worth more than $5 million over the past 19 years.
‘We can help families cover the cost of staying at Ronald McDonald House,’ says Lorraine Churchill who’s been Secretary to the organisation for 20 years. ‘And for children with chronic illness or disability, whose medicines are not covered by the NDIS, we can help pay their pharmacy bills through our Born to Live program. The demand for our help is ever increasing.’
The children they help often have long-term illnesses such as cancers, are organ transplant recipients, or are premature babies with life threatening health issues. Kids in Need can also help cover the costs of tube feeds and high protein feeds for young people with anorexia, as well as home oxygen and life-saving equipment such as heart monitors.
Lorraine, together with Rhonda Doyle, who’s been the Treasurer for 22 years, and President, Louise Gledden, work alongside 24 volunteers to raise funds to keep the charity running.
‘We couldn’t do it without their help,’ says Lorraine. ‘And the generosity of the community and companies like Bendigo Bank who donated $16,500 to our Born to Live program this year.’
cckin.com.au
Central Coast KIDS DAY OUT

Central Coast Kids Day Out was born out of a really good idea to bring together the various early childhood health and welfare services in one place at a fun, interactive annual event. There are talks, stalls and workshops so families can become better informed on what is locally available for their children’s wellbeing. And to make it fun for the kids too, there are pony rides, face painting, Bluey and her little sister Bingo, Paw Patrol, tasty food stalls and much more.
‘The first three to five years of a child’s life are so important in their future development,’ says Nada Potter one of the event’s founders. ‘And the day is especially useful for parents of children with special difficulties, but also, importantly, parents who just want to be better informed.’
Managing behaviour and anxiety are always popular sessions.
‘Behavioural issues in children tell you something,’ says Nada. ‘And the parents are taken on the journey too by showing them how to keep children calmer and how distress can be managed.’
Speech and developmental milestones are also a big concern for many parents.
‘The early years are crucial in a child’s development,’ says Nada. ‘We work alongside the Department of Education and Training and can put parents in touch with professional services that are available on the Coast.
‘Much of the initiative at Central Coast Kids Day Out is about prevention and early intervention so that our children can grow into kids with a strong sense of self-worth and are able to explore their full potential. Local businesses like Bendigo Bank have helped make the day possible and have been long-time supporters – for 15 years, in fact!’
You’ve missed the Central Coast Kids Day Out this year but follow them on facebook.com/CCKDO or on instagram.com/cckidsdayout to keep in touch for the next one.
ET Australia Secondary College (ETASC)

It’s not all about little kids on the Coast, of course. The later schooling years are equally important in setting high school students up for their transition to careers.
ETASC is an independent, not for profit high school in Gosford for Years 7 to 12.
‘It’s all about providing a safe and supportive learning environment to equip students with the appropriate literacy and numeracy skills to find the right employment or to pursue further study,’ says Tony Mylan the CEO and College Principal. ‘We treat our students as young adults to ready them for life beyond school.’
Part of the approach is that teachers are called by their first names; students don’t wear uniforms; and the small school environment provides more opportunity for individual attention to students. This can range from extra learning support to opportunities for gifted and talented students to pursue their talent by following their academic passions.
Bendigo Bank, very much a community bank with a heart, has provided 12 scholarships to assist disadvantaged students, at a total of $10,000.
‘Every student is guided with an individual career pathway plan and is helped to explore what’s involved in different jobs,’ says Tony. ‘We’re proud that 91 per cent of our 2023 graduates, including students who have not had success at other schools, have gone on to achieve employment or pursue further career-focused study at TAFE or university.’
etaustralia.com


