In the News

Press Release

Immediate Release

14^th September 2021

BushED launches remote learning assistance for rural communities with Virtual Astronaut Challenge.

Rural and Remote children across Australia have a new supporter in their quest to get educated with the launch of BushED, a new charity focusing on tutoring rural and remote communities.

Founded by Lyn French of Gilberton Station in Far North Queensland, BushEd is the next step in her 30 years supporting rural and remote children and families. “When my children first started school I had no idea what I was in for, where could I look for help, who could help me all the way out here”. Lyn found VISE a charity focusing on just the type of support she needed.

“Since VISE closed down in 2017 I’ve fielded calls from across the country asking me what I was going to do, Would you start a charity to support us, many asked?” Lyn said

Skipping forward to January 2021 and Lyn brought together a team, all experienced in education and an understanding of rural Australia’s needs. George Murdoch who has tutored for 30 years, Maxine Sharpe a young mum who has experienced the perils of distance education, Belle Perry who has supported rural families for years and Charles Alder Co Founder of Rural Aid, all passionate about education and support for the bush.

Since June BushED has provided where possible tutors on properties to assist children and families. Covid 19 restrictions to movement between states has persuaded BushED to introduce online tutoring to allow families to continue to access learning support. Utilising Zoom, BushED tutors will be matched with requests from families and sessions organised around farm activities and school of distance ed classes to help support students learning. Our tutors are generally retired teachers on grey nomadic tours, still passionate about education and wanting to share their passion. We’re sure our online tutors will be just as passionate.

BushED is bringing the Australian Virtual Astronaut challenge to rural and remote children in the first of many virtual learning opportunities. Students will be invited over 6 weeks to create a Family Home outpost on the Moon and learn how to survive space. According to Lyn, “this opportunity to learn about space, living on the moon is so exciting, learning via online classes is something our children have done for years but these extension learning opportunities are a buzz for us, the children and the parents who we are sure will see great advancement in the learning through the fun as well as education such events bring.”

BushED will also provide additional online learning events as Children’s week approaches between 23^rd and 31^st October BushEd is proud and excited to be building partnerships with many organisations to bring state of the art educational links to our rural and remote kids..

If you’d like to become an online tutor volunteer with BushEd please visit bushed.org.au. https://www.bushed.org.au/volunteers/
Families, children and schools interested in the Virtual Astronaut Challenge can visit https://www.bushed.org.au/learning-opportunities/


You can read more about BushED at https://www.bushed.org.au/
Read more about the Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge at https://stem2021.com.au/ava/

Media Contacts : Lyn French 0475 400 046 / 0740625329 or Charles Alder 0410714379