This study has surveyed rural families in the Loddon Campaspe Mallee Region of Victoria to establish whether they are experiencing difficulties raising and educating their gifted children. Gifted children at primary and secondary levels were also surveyed. Seventy one families located throughout the region were accessed through schools and a parent support group for parents of children with special abilities. The parents and the gifted children completed written questionnaires. The parent questionnaire was divided into four parts: family background; geographical information; giftedness; and school situation. The study found that aspects of the family background mirrored those found in other research. Although some families were positive about their rural life, most of the families were experiencing some difficulties raising and educating their child in a rural area because of distance, isolation and rural recession. The families strongly expressed their greatest needs as being schools recognising their children as gifted and providing appropriate programs. It was concluded there is a need for policy on gifted children at both state and school level, for more teachers to be trained in educating the gifted and that training be made easily accessible for teachers in rural areas. Parents need to be trained as effective advocates for gifted children.