Royal Far Westers
Join nowReconnecting with those we’ve cared for through the decades.
Royal Far West (affectionately known as The Far West) has a special place in the hearts of many people. We have created the Royal Far Westers program to provide you with a window into the past via poignant photographs and articles showing how life was at Royal Far West through the decades.
While our mission is still all about supporting country kids and families, how we do it has changed dramatically. We’re proud to share details on what we do today to support children living in rural and remote communities. We’ll share information and images from our early days through to exciting new developments and initiatives in the lead up to our Centenary in 2024.
If you or your sibling stayed with us or visited one of our seaside camps when you were children, or if you were a teacher, staff member, volunteer or a long-term Branch member, you’re invited to join the Royal Far Westers.
We look forward to sharing stories and photos with you.
Member benefits
As a Royal Far Wester, you can:
- Access a century of wonderful photos
- Read about your fellow members then and now
- Have the opportunity to share your unique story with us and your fellow members
- Receive invitations to local in-community activities and events
- Receive our exclusive biannual newsletter
- Visit our current Manly premises on open days
- Share our 100th birthday celebrations in 2024
How we’ve changed
We’ve changed with the times, but our purpose of giving Australia’s country children the help they need has always remained the same.
In the early decades most ailments were physical, from Sandy Blight to Polio, and apart from the wonderful nurses and matrons visiting mothers and babies in their local regions, everyone else came to Manly for treatment, with many children living with us for a couple of years or more.
Today, children living in rural and remote areas of Australia are twice as likely to start school developmentally vulnerable than city kids. There are currently more than 190,000 children in rural, regional and remote Australia unable to access the developmental and mental health services they need, because of where they live.
We continue our history of innovation and evolving to meet the changing needs of country communities through drought, floods, bushfires and COVID-19.
Join Royal Far Westers
When we receive your application, we’ll send you a welcome pack, and you’ll be an official Royal Far Wester!
The program is free to join for any previous visitors, staff or anyone who has a close affiliation with the work we do. By filling this out you acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy and you also consent to our processing information in accordance with the Royal Far Westers Privacy Statement.
If you change your mind at any time about receiving information from us, you can send an email to rfwesters@royalfarwest.org.au or write to us at Royal Far Westers, PO Box 52, Manly, NSW, 1655.
Royal Far Westers
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