Good Beginnings Australia and Save the Children Australia are joining forces to create one of Australia's largest and most respected agencies working to improve the lives of thousands of children in disadvantaged communities. 

Together Good Beginnings, which specialises in providing early intervention and practical parenting programs for children and their families in disadvantaged communities, and Save the Children, which works around Australia and in more than 120 countries around the world, will be able to reach even more of Australia's most vulnerable children. 

CEO of Good Beginnings Australia Jayne Meyer Tucker said, "Not every child in Australia grows up safe, happy and healthy. There are no simple answers or quick fixes to the complex issues that children face in vulnerable communities. That's why we have been working on a 10 year strategy. Now, by joining with Save the Children an opportunity exists to leverage our joint expertise and local knowledge.  Together we can broaden our reach, drive systemic change and become greater advocates for children and their rights."

Save the Children's CEO Paul Ronalds said, "Both organisations have recognised the opportunity to work together on a shared bold goal for children in Australia. We are absolutely delighted that Good Beginnings Australia will join with us to improve the lives of children in Australia's most disadvantaged communities.

 "By joining forces we have a unique opportunity to combine our Australian programs for young children, have greater influence on government policy and the systems that support children, and of course leverage the best of both organisations.

 "Together we will create one of Australia's leading agencies working to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children in the country."

The two charities have consulted extensively with major stakeholders on the merger and have found strong support for the purposes of the merger.       

Community Council of Australia chair Tim Costello said: "Australia's diverse not-for-profit sector plays a vital role and delivers outstanding value. The CCA supports a not-for-profit sector that is effective and accountable, and that continues to maintain the support and confidence of Australians.

 "A lot has been achieved through the reform agenda over recent years, including the introduction of the ACNC, and charities need to keep looking for ways to improve. This merger of Save the Children Australia and Good Beginnings Australia is a commendable reform and I wish to congratulate them on their vision to put children first."

David Crosbie, CEO at Community Council for Australia: "In the not-for-profit sector, real leadership is about finding ways to better achieve your organisation's purpose and more effectively drive positive change in the communities you serve. Real leadership is sometimes hard to find. In the case of Save the Children and Good Beginnings you have outstanding leaders supported by strong, well-informed boards prepared to not only lead, but to set an example of excellence many in the charities sector would do well to imitate."

Eddie Grobler, Divisional President Australasia for MasterCard, a major Good Beginnings partner: "I want to congratulate the two organisations with their decision to join forces – there are clear synergies. The main beneficiaries will undoubtedly be the children in Australia's disadvantaged communities."

Good Beginnings and Save the Children already work together in parts of Australia like the Northern Territory where they deliver Intensive Family Support Services.  

The two charities will officially join forces on July 1, 2015.  

For media inquiries contact Evan Schuurman from Save the Children on 0400 546 942 or Michael Thompson from Good Beginnings on 0451 373 454.