Progress across the year placed sick kids, their siblings and families at the forefront of our advocacy. Let’s have a look of what we achieved over the last year… We produced and launched Australian-first research – School connection for seriously sick kids: who are they, how do we know what works and whose job is it? We achieved a front-page Canberra Times story, and national media coverage for the launch of our Australian-first research. We achieved a statement of support from the Prime Minister and the National Children’s Commissioner. We referenced the personal experiences of parent founding members which inspired MissingSchool’s inception. Darcy Gilmour’s courageously presented his plea at the Parliament House media launch based on his experience of school separation through illness and the need for this work. We presented the stories of student, Patrick Vann, and his mother, Joanne Chivers, and petitioned with a statement from the Chair and Management Committee members and through question and answers at the media launch at Parliament House. These efforts achieved a nationally trending media story on the issue and work of MissingSchool through print, radio, and television media coverage. Lastly, we represented the issue to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministers for Education and Health and other state and federal politicians. We can feel the momentum building as we bring more attention to this issue and look forward to what 2017 will bring!
