We go beyond for country kids.
Royal Far West is a specialised child development service providing vital support to improve the health and wellbeing of children in rural and remote areas.
Throughout our 100-year history, Royal Far West’s ambition has remained unchanged: ensuring every country child has access to the services they need to support their early development and enrich their lives.
Royal Far West offers multidisciplinary developmental, mental health and disability support services for country children up to the age of 12, to help them reach their full potential. These services are delivered at our Centre for Country Kids in Manly, via telehealth and in-community.
For more information on Royal Far West’s services visit www.royalfarwest.org.au
The need
Too many country children are missing out on the support they need to thrive.
Across rural and remote Australia, children are growing up in environments where disadvantage is layered, persistent and deeply complex.
From limited access to healthcare and early education, to the impacts of trauma, natural disasters and systemic underinvestment, these challenges begin early and compound over time.
This is why Royal Far West is needed more than ever. Our work is designed to meet this complexity head-on – providing integrated, responsive care that reflects the real lives of country kids and their families.
Only 43% of rural and very remote kids are developmentally on track in five key developmental areas before they start school.
Limited access to services, long waiting lists and long distances to travel for these services only exacerbate the problem.
A growing complexity.
1 in 4 children (25%) have experienced four or more ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) such as parental mental illness or family violence.
The lasting impacts of drought, floods, bushfires and COVID-19 have increased the demand for trauma-related services.
"Royal Far West is unique. Without a doubt it saved [our son] Leith and our family, and we are so grateful for the ongoing care and support. Because of where we live, and the lack of access to services, we could never have given Leith the opportunities he deserves. His life, and ours, have been enriched because of the wonderful care he receives at Royal Far West.
Royal Far West mum
Where do the funds raised go?
We believe every Australian child has the right to access quality health, education and developmental services.
Our Manly based assessment service based at the Centre for Country Kids is free for families to access, however as a unique comprehensive service, it is therefore very expensive to operate.
Royal Far West receives a grant from NSW Health that funds a portion of the service with the remainder of the funds to come from RFW fundraising efforts.
