Child Safety Minister launches Child Protection Week
Published Monday, 27 August, 2007 at 09:15 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle today launched Child Protection Week with a reminder that the safety and wellbeing of children is everybody’s business.
The launch was held at St James College, Spring Hill where students and staff run a Brekkie Van for the homeless and will be followed by community activities and ceremonies throughout the State.
“It’s a sad fact that we have more than 7300 children in out-of-home care in Queensland and the number is rising.
“Unfortunately, many of these kids are traumatised.
“But experts say children can recover if they have one adult in their life who is unconditionally positive towards them.
“Every Queensland child should have at least one adult who is regularly in their life, who is genuinely pleased to see them, who believes them to be good and capable with a great life ahead.
“It doesn’t even have to be a parent or another relative.
“That person can be a neighbour, a school teacher, a sporting coach or the lady who runs the tuck shop at school.
“It is a reminder that child protection is everyone’s business,” said Ms Boyle.
Community groups throughout Queensland have received more than $40,000 in grants to participate in Child Protection Week which officially starts on Father’s Day (Sunday, September 2) and runs until Saturday, September 8.
Activities include parenting workshops, protective behaviours training, information displays, family fun days, art exhibitions, street parties, storytelling, quilt-making and an information morning for grandparents.
Community events will be held in Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mt Isa, Townsville and Cairns.
Ms Boyle said: “I congratulate those who have been awarded grants for the job they are doing to raise awareness and participation in Child Protection Week.
“I also acknowledge the special work done by community groups to promote positive parenting and provide child protection services.”
For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.childsafety.qld,gov.au/events
South East Queensland
Talera Child and Family Therapy Centre, Holland Park
Children and young people will workshop child protection messages and then paint
them on ceramic tiles which will then be displayed during Child Protection Week.
Pathways South West, Bundamba
Exhibition of photographs taken by children and young people depicting what makes a child friendly community.
Murriajabree ATSIC, Deception Bay
Fun day to showcase family values and Aboriginal culture and traditions. Includes demonstrations from an indigenous nutritionist on how to create nutritious cheap meals.
Milperra State High School, Chelmer
Open learning day for students and their parents on Friday, September 7, devoted to themes, issues, expectations and information about child protection. Bilingual teacher aides and interpreters will be used.
Indigenous Family & Child Support Service, Coorparoo
Information stall and food demonstration at The Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service on Wednesday, September 5.
CREATE Foundation, Annerley
Arts day and exhibition which explores what makes a child friendly community.
Communities for Children, Goodna
Storytelling session with Tess Rowley, author of Everyone’s Got a Bottom on Thursday, September 6 at the Elorac Place Community Centre.
Mayfield State School P&C, Carina
Four week project in which students will write, film and edit a short film to encourage the community to Take the child friendly challenge.
Kingston East Neighbourhood Centre, Woodridge
Launch and “treeplanting” of Children’s friendship tree in which children will place hand painted hand cut outs on a leafless tree.
Kippa Ring State School P& C, Clontarf
Outdoor mural painting with indigenous artist, art competition What makes me feel safe, afternoon tea, address by Adopt-A-Cop, parent seminar.
North East Community Support Group, Zillmere
Young people aged 10 to 17 years who are affected directly or indirectly by domestic violence will design a mural which explores the themes of what makes them feel safe and what can they do to make their community more child friendly.
West Centenary Scout Group, Mount Ommaney
Members of the Venturers Group will devise an activity for the den’s 100 members looking at child protection from their perspective; also creating posters to be put on display at a function on September 8.
Sandgate State School Parents &Citizens Association, Sandgate
Day of activities including a procession down the main street finishing at Einbunpin Lagoon where there will be activities for children and stalls where groups can showcase their services and programs.
Inala State School Parents & Citizens Association, Inala
Helping hands for safety – assembly on Tuesday, September 4 looking at protective behaviours; talks by local police, development of posters on the theme What makes Inala a child friendly community.
Interlink Housing & Support Association, Woodridge
Welcome to Australia workshops on each day of Child Protection Week involving guest speakers, drama, music and activities aimed at engaging children, youth and parents from emerging communities to attend.
Bay Islands Community Services, Russell Island
Encourage children and young people to express, discuss and problem solve issues which face them using different forms of artistic expression.
Australian International Islamic College Parents & Citizens Association, Richlands
Child Protection Awareness Week ending with an Aussie Barbecue supported by an international dish from the different national groups supporting the college.
Abused Child Trust, Gold Coast
Hands of Safety project will see speakers address primary school children on child protection issues and the distribution of protective behaviours kits.
Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School, Acacia Ridge
Week of activities including guest speakers lunch, art competition, theatre show and excursions.
The Baptist Union of Queensland Community Services Group, Mitchelton
DBay Dads on Display project is a photo competition in which children will have their photos taken with their dad, grandad, uncle or other male role model and then have the photo displayed to express the importance of positive male role models.
St Mary’s Support and Accommodation Service, Toowong
Creation of a community quilt by young mothers using the service.
Uniting Church, Deception Bay
Activities exploring what it means to be a child friendly community in a culturally and age diverse community concluding with a concert and international food feast.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
27 August 2007
The launch was held at St James College, Spring Hill where students and staff run a Brekkie Van for the homeless and will be followed by community activities and ceremonies throughout the State.
“It’s a sad fact that we have more than 7300 children in out-of-home care in Queensland and the number is rising.
“Unfortunately, many of these kids are traumatised.
“But experts say children can recover if they have one adult in their life who is unconditionally positive towards them.
“Every Queensland child should have at least one adult who is regularly in their life, who is genuinely pleased to see them, who believes them to be good and capable with a great life ahead.
“It doesn’t even have to be a parent or another relative.
“That person can be a neighbour, a school teacher, a sporting coach or the lady who runs the tuck shop at school.
“It is a reminder that child protection is everyone’s business,” said Ms Boyle.
Community groups throughout Queensland have received more than $40,000 in grants to participate in Child Protection Week which officially starts on Father’s Day (Sunday, September 2) and runs until Saturday, September 8.
Activities include parenting workshops, protective behaviours training, information displays, family fun days, art exhibitions, street parties, storytelling, quilt-making and an information morning for grandparents.
Community events will be held in Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mt Isa, Townsville and Cairns.
Ms Boyle said: “I congratulate those who have been awarded grants for the job they are doing to raise awareness and participation in Child Protection Week.
“I also acknowledge the special work done by community groups to promote positive parenting and provide child protection services.”
For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.childsafety.qld,gov.au/events
South East Queensland
Talera Child and Family Therapy Centre, Holland Park
Children and young people will workshop child protection messages and then paint
them on ceramic tiles which will then be displayed during Child Protection Week.
Pathways South West, Bundamba
Exhibition of photographs taken by children and young people depicting what makes a child friendly community.
Murriajabree ATSIC, Deception Bay
Fun day to showcase family values and Aboriginal culture and traditions. Includes demonstrations from an indigenous nutritionist on how to create nutritious cheap meals.
Milperra State High School, Chelmer
Open learning day for students and their parents on Friday, September 7, devoted to themes, issues, expectations and information about child protection. Bilingual teacher aides and interpreters will be used.
Indigenous Family & Child Support Service, Coorparoo
Information stall and food demonstration at The Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service on Wednesday, September 5.
CREATE Foundation, Annerley
Arts day and exhibition which explores what makes a child friendly community.
Communities for Children, Goodna
Storytelling session with Tess Rowley, author of Everyone’s Got a Bottom on Thursday, September 6 at the Elorac Place Community Centre.
Mayfield State School P&C, Carina
Four week project in which students will write, film and edit a short film to encourage the community to Take the child friendly challenge.
Kingston East Neighbourhood Centre, Woodridge
Launch and “treeplanting” of Children’s friendship tree in which children will place hand painted hand cut outs on a leafless tree.
Kippa Ring State School P& C, Clontarf
Outdoor mural painting with indigenous artist, art competition What makes me feel safe, afternoon tea, address by Adopt-A-Cop, parent seminar.
North East Community Support Group, Zillmere
Young people aged 10 to 17 years who are affected directly or indirectly by domestic violence will design a mural which explores the themes of what makes them feel safe and what can they do to make their community more child friendly.
West Centenary Scout Group, Mount Ommaney
Members of the Venturers Group will devise an activity for the den’s 100 members looking at child protection from their perspective; also creating posters to be put on display at a function on September 8.
Sandgate State School Parents &Citizens Association, Sandgate
Day of activities including a procession down the main street finishing at Einbunpin Lagoon where there will be activities for children and stalls where groups can showcase their services and programs.
Inala State School Parents & Citizens Association, Inala
Helping hands for safety – assembly on Tuesday, September 4 looking at protective behaviours; talks by local police, development of posters on the theme What makes Inala a child friendly community.
Interlink Housing & Support Association, Woodridge
Welcome to Australia workshops on each day of Child Protection Week involving guest speakers, drama, music and activities aimed at engaging children, youth and parents from emerging communities to attend.
Bay Islands Community Services, Russell Island
Encourage children and young people to express, discuss and problem solve issues which face them using different forms of artistic expression.
Australian International Islamic College Parents & Citizens Association, Richlands
Child Protection Awareness Week ending with an Aussie Barbecue supported by an international dish from the different national groups supporting the college.
Abused Child Trust, Gold Coast
Hands of Safety project will see speakers address primary school children on child protection issues and the distribution of protective behaviours kits.
Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School, Acacia Ridge
Week of activities including guest speakers lunch, art competition, theatre show and excursions.
The Baptist Union of Queensland Community Services Group, Mitchelton
DBay Dads on Display project is a photo competition in which children will have their photos taken with their dad, grandad, uncle or other male role model and then have the photo displayed to express the importance of positive male role models.
St Mary’s Support and Accommodation Service, Toowong
Creation of a community quilt by young mothers using the service.
Uniting Church, Deception Bay
Activities exploring what it means to be a child friendly community in a culturally and age diverse community concluding with a concert and international food feast.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
27 August 2007