These interconnected stories trace the evolution and impact of Mobile Children’s Services in Australia, highlighting their contribution to children and families, the challenges faced by isolated communities, and the collaborative efforts that have shaped services for people living in remote and disadvantaged areas.

 

The narrative follows the development of Mobile Children’s Services from their early foundations and innovative beginnings, through the growth of community support, the establishment of state and national networks, and the advocacy that has helped shape the sector.

​

“A Mobile Children’s Service provides an itinerant educational and support service for isolated children and families living in isolated communities or disadvantaged localities, or where a stand-alone service is not viable. A vehicle (car, bus, plane, or train) is used to transport staff, equipment, and appropriate materials to these localities as an integral part of the educational programs being provided.”
— Contact Inc., 1993

 

Understanding Isolation

Isolation is not confined to the vast Australian Outback. It can be experienced in rural, regional, urban and city communities.

 

There are many factors and social circumstances that can contribute to isolation, including cultural differences, language barriers, distance, limited knowledge of available services, the absence of family or friends nearby, disability or ill health, and the unavailability of—or inability to access—transport.

 

Over the years, Australians have developed many innovative ways to respond to isolation, support women and children, and address the challenges associated with raising children, particularly when families are living in isolated circumstances.

 

Connecting the Outback

For women living in the Australian Outback, the establishment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928 and the introduction of the pedal radio in 1929 provided important connections to health services, information and, importantly, to other people.

The famous “Galah Sessions” broadcast through the Flying Doctor radio network gave women in remote areas an opportunity to communicate with one another. These sessions provided not only information and practical support, but also a valuable social connection for people living great distances apart.

As communication networks and transport systems developed, so too did innovative approaches to reaching people living in isolated circumstances.

Mobile programs emerged across Australia to provide services such as:

• health and dental care

• preschool and early childhood education

• childcare

• family and children’s support

• mobile libraries

• toy libraries

• information and community services.

 

The Development of Mobile Children’s Services

Mobile Children’s Services have a long and important history in Australia.

Mobile libraries were among the early examples of taking services, resources and opportunities directly to communities. Over time, the mobile model was adapted to meet the educational, developmental and social needs of young children and their families.

The first Mobile Children’s Services emerged progressively across Australia:

Year    State/Territory  Development

1949    Australian Capital Territory  Canberra Mobile Kindergarten

1958    New South Wales  New South Wales Kindergarten Union

1969    Tasmania  Mobile Preschool

1970    Queensland and Western Australia  Mobile Children’s Services established

1971    Victoria  Mobile Children’s Services established

1975    South Australia  Remote & Isolated Children’s Exercise (R.I.C.E.)

1987    Northern Territory   Mobile Children’s Services established

​

These dates indicate the establishment of the first identified Mobile Children’s Service in each Australian state or territory. Historical records and terminology vary, and some states subsequently developed additional mobile programs.

 

From Australia to the World

The Mobile Children’s Service model is now evident in many countries throughout the developed world.

 

Contact had the privilege to visit Mobile Children’s Service programs in Britain, China, Portugal, the Netherlands and Scotland, and maintained ongoing links.

 

These experiences have reinforced the importance of the mobile service delivery model as an effective and flexible way of reaching children and families who might otherwise have limited access to early childhood education, family support, resources and community connection.

 

The history of Mobile Children’s Services is ultimately a history of innovation, persistence, collaboration and community—finding ways to bring services to children and families rather than expecting isolated communities to travel long distances to access them.

 

For more than seven decades, the mobile approach has demonstrated that distance should not determine a child's opportunity to learn, play, connect and thrive.

​

To learn more about Mobile Children’s Services in Australia Click here