Two community heroes awarded for 70 years of protecting children

Two dedicated child protection workers will today be hailed true community heroes for their long careers protecting Queensland children from abuse and neglect.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today congratulated Steve Cockburn, Manager of the Fortitude Valley Child Safety Service Centre for 30 years’ service and Jan Lawrie, Manager, Warilda Conference Centre for 40 years’ service.

The duo will be among those presented with Department of Child Safety Recognition of Excellence Awards in a special ceremony at Brisbane’s Royal on the Park hotel from 10am today.

“Working in child protection can be very challenging and our staff members face some confronting situations,” Mrs Keech said.

“A combined 70 years of service protecting Queensland’s at-risk children is simply outstanding and I can not thank them both enough for their commitment can care.

“The work they do helping children who have been abused or neglected is vital and they deserve to be recognised for the difference they make to the lives of children every day.”

Mrs Keech said Mr Cockburn and Ms Lawrie had been with the Department of Child Safety since it was created in 2004 after previously serving in previous incarnations of the Department.

“These staff members have seen many changes and improvements over their many years of service and I’m proud to be able to acknowledge them today,” she said.

The pair are among 160 Child Safety staff who will receive official recognition of more than five years of service at ceremonies around the state over the next few weeks.

Award-winning staff will receive a range of items including framed certificates, leather compendiums, satchels, engraved pens, vouchers for learning and development, and health and wellbeing.

“Child Safety staff have the toughest job in Government,” said Mrs Keech.

“They deserve to be treated like the true community heroes they are, applauded and acknowledged alongside police officers, firefighters, doctors and ambulance officers.

“Every day they are out there on the frontline protecting children from abuse and neglect, and I’m proud to be able to thank them today.”

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Media contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236