FAQs

We supply or pay for uniforms, textbooks, stationery, swim packs and all of the other items the children will require at their new school. We also supply computers and iPads if the children need them for their studies. If a school charges a resource fee to supply some of these items, we will pay the fee.

Yes. DV shelters only provide refuge to women and their children. However, Zephyr’s clients include several organisations that also assist fathers and their children who are victims of domestic violence. We provide educational support to these children also.

If you are a victim of domestic violence or in fear that you may be harmed by your partner or ex-partner, call

• DV Connect’s Womensline on 1800 811 811 in Queensland
• Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122 in Tasmania
• Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339 in Western Australia
• Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463 in NSW
• Family Violence statewide support services on 1800 015 188 in Victoria
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) on 02 6280 0900 in the ACT

Wherever you live in Australia, you can also call the National Sexual Assault, Family Violence Counselling Service Hotline on 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

You can also call these numbers if you are concerned that a woman you know has been harmed or will be harmed by her partner.

These services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, if you believe that you are in danger now, or that another person is in danger now, call 000.

None of the shelters and other organisations we help is funded to supply children, who have to attend a new school because of family violence, with school uniforms and other school essentials. Our sole focus is to ensure these children arrive at their new school in the right uniform and with the same books and equipment as their new classmates. This gives them the best chance of fitting in with their new classmates and successfully resuming their education.

We also respond rapidly to requests for help. Our commitment to these children is to supply everything they need to get back to school as soon as possible – in the great majority of cases, within 48 hours of our receiving a request for help.

Almost every dollar donated to Zephyr Education is spent on school supplies as its administration costs are negligible. This is because our charity is run solely by volunteers, operates from rent-free premises and pays no power costs.

Zephyr Education was created by its four founding members in 2013, originally under the name Zephyr Foundation. Its name changed to Zephyr Education Inc when it became an incorporated association in Queensland in 2016. Zephyr Education is also registered in Tasmania and Western Australia.

In the 2018-19 financial year, Zephyr Education helped approximately 2800 children whose lives and education had been disrupted by domestic violence get back to school by supplying or paying for:

• uniforms
• shoes
• school bags
• stationery packs containing textbooks, stationery and other items specific to the school and year level of each child
• school resource levies
• computers.

Here are some of the things your donation may be spent on:

• $50 Pair of shoes and socks
• $150 Schoolbag containing stationery, textbooks, lunch box and water bottle
• $250 Primary school uniform including shoes and sports uniform
• $450 High school uniform including shoes and sports uniform
• $5,000 The educational needs of children at an average sized shelter for 12 months.

Yes. Zephyr Education Inc has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a deductible gift recipient. This means that all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. We will send you a tax receipt shortly after we receive your donation. We also have endorsement for charity tax concessions. If you would like to make a donation, click here

Zephyr Education is supported by a large number of volunteers assisting in various ways. The main ongoing need is financial support. About half of our funding is provided by community grants and business partnerships. The remainder is provided by direct donations from members of the public.

If you can assist with fund-raising as an individual or through a group or club, please contact us for any information or support you may need.

Zephyr Education is based in Queensland but also operates in Tasmania and Western Australia.

Yes, you can nominate to have your funds spent in any of the States in which Zephyr Education operates - Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.