In her opinion piece, Jacqui writes passionately about the urgent challenges facing children in rural and remote communities, where nearly 60% are not developmentally on track to start school. Jacqui highlights the systemic barriers families face in accessing timely health and education support and calls for bold investment in early intervention to change the trajectory for thousands of country kids.
She shares insights from her travels to over 200 communities, where she’s witnessed both the struggles and the resilience of families, educators and local leaders. These communities are doing their best with limited resources, but the latest AEDC data confirms what Royal Far West has long known: the system is at breaking point, and children are falling through the cracks.
“The further a child lives from a major city, the greater their risk of falling behind, before they’ve even had a chance to start. Layered on top of this are factors like poverty, trauma, natural disasters, housing insecurity and limited infrastructure – all of which shape a child’s early experience and long-term outcomes.
“But amid these challenges, I also see extraordinary strength. Rural and remote communities are some of the most resilient, connected, and resourceful in the country. Local leaders know their communities inside out – and they hold many of the answers to what will work on the ground. It’s vital we listen to these voices and support grassroots solutions driven by those who know their communities best.”
Jacqui outlines Royal Far West’s early intervention model, which combines virtual care and in-community support to deliver trauma-informed care through multidisciplinary teams. This approach is already making a measurable difference in towns across Australia, with 88% of children achieving or exceeding their therapy goals. However, the reach is still limited – just 3% of eligible schools and 1% of early learning centres are currently supported.
Jacqui’s message is clear: the new AEDC data is a wake-up call. Without urgent action, we risk setting back another generation of country kids.
Read Jacqui’s full op-ed in today’s Daily Telegraph (PAYWALL)