Kicking Financial Literacy Goals

It was fantastic to come together in early December at the Study Hub in Zeehan to celebrate the achievements of the University of Tasmania’s West Coast Financial Literacy Project and the official launch the Money Confident book.

The team recently distributed the Money Confident book, a practical guide to increase financial literacy and ultimately wellbeing and covering essentials like getting ready for work (TFN, bank account) and managing money once you start earning (tax, super, budgeting, loans).

The celebration was a fantastic reflection of the community’s engagement and participation in the program bringing together representatives from a diverse range of participating organisations and supporters.  All speakers reflected on the work that has been undertaken so far and the potential long-term impact of the Financial Literacy Project across the communities of the West Coast.

The Money Confident book was created based on conversations and feedback from local organisations and students. For some, it’s a tool to support clients; for others, an opportunity to navigate finances confidently on their own.

The project team have already been using the Money Confident book as part of their school and community delivery activities.

Primary school students have also taken part in interactive sessions featuring Savings Tower Jenga, Money Match Flip and Money Bingo which presented fun, hands-on ways to spark conversations about needs versus wants, spending and saving.

High school students built on Ecstra Foundation’s Talk Money sessions by delving deeper into payslips, tax and superannuation.

Beyond the classroom, UTAS has facilitated two community co-design sessions in Queenstown and Zeehan with 30 community members and representatives from organisations such as Services Australia, Eat Well Tasmania, Loaves and Fishes and the Australian Taxation Office.

“This project is all about empowering our young people and their families to feel confident making financial decisions that affect their futures,” UTAS Project Officer Nicole Gale said.

“The support from TCF and Bank of Us, along with the enthusiasm of the West Coast community, is helping us make financial literacy part of everyday life.