About Us

The Let's Read team and partners

Let's Read Team

  • Sue West, Associate Director, Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch ChildrenS Research Institute
  • Catriona Elek, Let's Read Project Coordinator, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  • Wendy Field, Head of Policy and Programs, The Smith Family
  • Rebecca Sobczak, National Manager, Program Quality and Implementation, The Smith Family
  • Jacqui Taylor, Program Manager, Program Implementation, The Smith Family
  • Jacqui Ryan, Analyst, Program Implementation, The Smith Family
  • Metty Joseph, Operations Manager, The Smith Family

Let's Read has a Governance Group and Book Suggestion Panel.

Contact the Let's Read team

About the Centre for Community Child Health and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) is Australia's largest child health research organisation. The Institute is recognised globally for its contribution to improving health outcomes for children. Throughout its 26 year history, the Institute has transformed to include interdisciplinary research teams of critical mass and excellence, and is now fully integrated 'from bench to bedside to community'.

MCRI’s vision is to excel in research that improves the health and quality of life of all children and their families, both in Australia and globally. MCRI conducts large population-based cohort studies and health services intervention studies that span the continuum of the universal, primary and secondary care sectors. Community participation in MCRI projects plays a vital role in enabling MCRI to conduct the research which helps answer the big questions around the types of health challenges children are faced with. The development of new treatments, interventions and cures would not happen without this research.  

The Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) leads two research groups at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and is a department of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). We provide leadership in children’s health, wellbeing and learning through research, service system innovation, education and professional development, knowledge translation and specialist medical clinics for child development, behaviour and learning. Our evidence-based approach seeks to inform early childhood policy and practice, support families in their important role and facilitate professional development.  We have over 20 years of experience strengthening and refocusing service delivery to improve children’s learning, health and wellbeing. 

About The Smith Family

The Smith Family (TSF) is a national, independent children’s charity, helping young Australians in need to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves. TSF’s vision is “a better future for young Australians in need” and their mission is to create opportunities for young Australians in need by providing long-term support for their participation in education. TSF believes that every child deserves a chance. 

TSF recognise that in Australia today more than 638,000 children are living in jobless families. For these children, the effects of their family’s financial disadvantage go beyond the pressures of not having enough money for the basics; it can prevent them from accessing the same educational and life opportunities as their peers. When children are left out, they get left behind and without support the disadvantage they experience today is likely to continue into adulthood – and on to the next generation.

TSF believes that circumstances should never limit the achievement of potential.  With research showing that education has the power to transform lives, not just minds, TSF’s programs enable disadvantaged children and young people to get the opportunities they need to fully participate in their education and create better futures for themselves.              

Read about other key organisations that have been involved in the development and delivery of Let's Read.