Advanced Education Awards for Grandchildren being raised by Grandparents
The Rotary Club of Osborne Park, in partnership with Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS) and Grandcarers Western Australia, is seeking support to establish a targeted education award for children being raised by their grandparents and other extended family members. These children are preparing to transition from primary to secondary school – a milestone that can place considerable financial strain on already struggling grandparent-led households.
Grandcarers step in when parents are unwilling or unable to care for their children – often due to issues such as substance misuse, family violence, or incarceration. Their decision to raise their grandchildren is made with love, but at great personal cost.
Advanced Education Awards for Grandchildren being raised by Grandparents
The Reality Faced by Grandcarers:
- Over 70% of grandcarers live below the poverty line
- 75% are single grandmothers, many of whom are aged and living on a fixed income
- Grandcarers receive only $1,000 per annum in financial support per child from the government, compared to up to $15,000 per annum for foster carers
- Most rely solely on the age pension, with limited or no superannuation or financial assets
- Many are physically unwell or aging, yet they continue to take on full-time parenting responsibilities.
The transition from primary to secondary school brings substantial costs: new school uniforms, backpacks, textbooks, iPads and other digital learning tools. These are often unaffordable luxuries for grandcarers who are already stretched to the limit.
In response, Rotary is launching a new initiative under RAWCS Project No. 52-2024-25, to provide $1,000 education awards to eligible children being raised by grandcarers. This will help them begin high school with the resources they need, enabling them to fit in with their peers and focus on learning—rather than being left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Project Goal:
Grandcarers WA anticipates that approximately 35 children in their network will graduate from primary school at the end of 2025. To meet this need, Rotary aims to raise $35,000–$40,000 by late 2025, distributing funds in time for the 2026 school year. If successful, this initiative will become an ongoing annual project to support more families in the years ahead.
Tax-deductible donations can be made via RAWCS at rawcs.com.au, with full project details available on the site.
We believe this initiative aligns with Rotary’s commitment to educational equity and supporting vulnerable communities.
Project Manager: | Brian Hancock |
Position Held: | Community Services Director, Rotary Club of Osborne Park |
Contact Number: | 0439 515 001 |
Email Address: | |
Address: | 18 Barridale Drive, Kingsley, W.A. 6026 |
Organisation Name: | Rotary Australia World Community Services Ltd. (RAWCS) |
ABN Number: | 37 739 341 003 |
Website Address: | |
DGR Status: | Yes |
Auspice Fee: | 5% of funds raised |