In 2014, the song “Freaks” by Timmy Trumpet was hugely popular here in Australia and New Zealand. We had been out on a friend’s boat all day and that song had been played on FM radio about once every hour. When we got home, my son Toby (who was 10 at the time) challenged me to play the opening of the song on the trombone. I started cranking it in the kitchen because the tiles give good echo, and then Toby started searching around the kitchen for something to give us that classic doof doof /EDM sound. Pots, pans and wooden spoons just didn’t cut it. Then, in a moment of inspiration, he walked over to the oven and tried the door. Contrary to popular belief, Mama was Home, sitting on the lounge, having a laugh. Our daughter Jess started recording us, so we stopped long enough to grab some sunglasses, to make the video a bit more rock ‘n’ roll. I was still warming up so I cracked a few notes the first few times.Then the trays inside the oven were rattling too loud in the next few takes, so in the end I think it was our fifth take. I’m glad we did that many, because on that final take, Toby had another moment of inspirat

None of us were prepared for how quickly the clip would blow up, but once Timmy Trumpet himself shared it on his socials, we started to receive millions of views. We performed live with Timmy Trumpet at a midnight beach festival, we had an Australian talk show come and film live from our kitchen. We did a live cross to London on New Year’s Eve for the “Thank God It’s Friday” show. We were even flown to Romania to film a television commercial for the German company Otto. We are still amazed to see the clip being shared so often 10 years later.

On Christmas eve 1922, five businessmen walked into a Sydney orphanage carrying armfuls of toys and sweets. They walked out inspired by a single goal: to improve the lives of children experiencing disadvantage in Australia. When asked who the children could thank, one of the men, preferring to remain anonymous, said “Smith”. “What about the others?” the matron asked. “They’re Smiths too”, replied the man. “We’re all Smiths. We’re The Smith Family.”

And so, The Smith Family was born.

Today, The Smith Family supports 67,165 students in their flagship “Learning for Life” program, helping to break the cycle of disadvantage through targeted, long-term support for families struggling to pay for quality education.

Russ Bauer is a teacher of 33 years who runs his own charity which provides Blankets, Beanies & Backpacks to homeless people. Russ feels that The Smith Family is one of Australia’s most important registered charities as it offers support to families who need assistance in ensuring that their children’s education isn’t adversely impacted by financial hardship.