Child protection champions honoured at awards

Some of Queensland’s most passionate and dedicated child protection advocates have been honoured today for their efforts to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman congratulated the nine individuals and organisations who received awards at the 2015 Child Protection Week Awards during a prestigious ceremony at Parliament house today.

“These awards allow us to publicly recognise the dedication and hard work of people who make Queensland a safer and happier place for our children and young people,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This year’s winners are very deserving of this public recognition, from well-known child safety advocates Bruce and Denise Morcombe who have worked tirelessly to educate children on how to stay safe, to the efforts of Ipswich-based Detective Sergeant Tania Plant on the front line to keep children safe from abuse.

“They are all making a difference to the wellbeing of Queensland children – particularly those who are vulnerable or at risk.”

 The winners are:

• Professional (Non-Government): Holly Brennan OAM from the Sunshine Coast
• Professional (Government): Detective Sergeant Tania Plant from Ipswich
• Volunteer: Luise Manning, Springfield Lakes Butterfly Wings Parent Child Program
• Regional Program: Pregnant and Parenting Students Program in Ipswich
• Education Initiative: Darling Downs Crime Prevention Unit – Children’s Safety Pantomime
• Youth Participation: Ben Lodewikus, Young People Making A Difference in Mount Morgan/Mackay
• Media and Communications: Sunshine Coast-based Daniel Morcombe Foundation
• Community Initiative: Let their voices be heard: Child and Youth Protection Partnership – Charter Working Group in Bundaberg
• Addressing Over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, children and young people in the child protection system: Isabel Toby, Team Leader of Dumaji Children and Family Centre from Doomadgee

 Ms Fentiman also officially launched Child Protection Week today, which runs from 6–12 September 2015.

“Child Protection Week is about promoting the importance of protecting our children, raising awareness of child protection issues, and recognising the vital role of child protection workers,” she said.

“The theme for the week is ‘Protecting children is everybody’s business’  a message that reminds us we all have a responsibility to make our communities safe for children.”

The Queensland Government provides almost $107,000 per year to ACT for Kids to promote the importance of child protection, raise awareness of child protection issues, and recognise the role of child protection workers.

Ms Fentiman today announced a comprehensive review of the Child Protection Act 1999 to ensure that it is relevant and best meets the needs of modern families.

“A consultation process will be used to gather as much feedback as possible from families, young people carers and the wider community to find out what is working and what we need to improve in terms of the legislation,” she said.

“To help get this conversation rolling, a discussion paper is available on the Get Involved website which explains the key areas of the legislation being reviewed.”

To have your say visit www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au

To find out more about Child Protection Week, including information about the awards and a calendar of events activities to be held throughout the week, go to www.childprotectionweek.org.au

Media Contact:                                  Minister Fentiman’s office                  3719 7500