19 August 2024

Support for Dandelions WA

• Cook Labor Government providing $500,000 to WA-based charity Dandelions WA
• Funding to help provide backpacks with school supplies to Western Australian students who don't have all they need for school
• Complements the WA Student Assistance Payment, Secondary Assistance Scheme and KidSport voucher increases in delivering cost of living support to families

The Cook Government will provide $500,000 to WA-based charity Dandelions WA to support its work distributing school supplies to children in need.

Founded in Joondalup, Dandelions WA provides brand-new school backpacks filled with essential items like stationery, lunch boxes, water bottles, hats, and toiletries. The Dandelions WA Back to School campaign supports schools and students by promoting equity and inclusion, helping young people to feel a sense of belonging and reducing social barriers.

The one-off donation to Dandelions WA will provide important assistance to WA students and families struggling with cost-of-living pressures, using remaining funds from the WA Student Assistance Payment.

The donation builds on the WA Student Assistance Payment, which made available $250 for all Western Australian secondary students, and $150 for all primary and kindergarten students.

To provide additional assistance to families on low incomes, the State Government has also enhanced its Secondary Assistance Scheme for eligible families with children in secondary schooling, who will receive an increased $300 School Clothing Allowance to assist with the purchase of school uniforms in both 2024 and 2025.

Assistance available to eligible families through the Government's successful KidSport voucher program has also been significantly increased to $500 for 2025.

Emily Hamilton joined Minister for Education, Hon. Tony Buti MLA, at the Dandelions WA Kindness Kubby recently to share the news with Founder and President, Vicky Young, and Secretary, Lucy Cleary.

In the past four years Dandelions WA have distributed over 17,000 school backpacks to kids in need throughout WA. For 2025, the aim is to provide 15,000 backpacks to kids across the State.

Anyone can donate items. Ms Hamilton’s office is a collection point – 2/1 Wise St, Joondalup.

See https://www.dandelionswa.org.au/schools for what to donate.

Comments attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:

"Our WA Student Assistance Payment has helped hundreds of thousands of Western Australians with meeting the costs of sending their children to school – but we know there are some families out there who need more help.

"We want to make sure the remaining funds from the WA Student Assistance Payment go towards measures that provide meaningful assistance to families.

"Dandelions WA are doing great work, and this one-off donation will ensure that can continue and be enhanced."

Comments attributed to Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton:

"I’m pleased to have supported Dandelions WA since it began in 2021. Dandelions WA is a wonderful organisation that supports Western Australians of all ages, all genders and no matter their reason for need.

“Over the years I have shared information about the Back to School campaign with my colleagues in Parliament, and specifically to Minister for Education Hon. Tony Buti MLA and his predecessor, Hon. Sue Ellery MLC.

“Feedback from schools is that the backpacks are treasured and have led to increased attendance rates and engagement. There has been an overall improvement in learning outcomes, including reading abilities.”