Child Protection Week Awards honours Bamaga hero

Good choices make good consequences. That is the message to young people from this years Child Protection Week regional award winner, Sonia Townson.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today announced Ms Townson has been awarded for her dedication to Bamaga’s young people at risk of becoming alcohol or drug abusers.

“I understand Ms Townson has been doing some wonderful work over a long period of time in helping the children of Bamaga and she deserves this recognition,” Mrs Keech said.

“The Bligh Government allocated $85,000 to community groups across Queensland so they could highlight Child Protection week.

“Through our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government is helping build stronger, safer, more caring communities – principles embraced by Child Protection Week.”

A member of the Saibal Kadal (Crocodile Clan) clan Ms Townson is an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer.

“My passion is to work with young people and educate them about the dangers of alcohol and drugs,” Ms Townson said.

“They can taste the world and make their own choices. But choices come with consequences. Good choices come with good consequences.”

Mrs Keech publicly honoured Ms Townson and seven other child protection workers and advocates when she helps present this year’s Child Protection Week Awards at Parliament House on Thursday, September 11.

“These awards are an acknowledgment of the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland,” Mrs Keech said.

“This year’s Child Protection Week theme, Children See. Children Do…Make Your Influence Positive reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect our children.

“I commend the award recipients and I hope they inspire others to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people.”

Ms Townson, 37, from Seisia, Northern Peninsula, and the daughter of a Church of Torres Strait bishop, is also a Lieutenant 2IC with the Australian Army Cadets. She is a mother of three boys and a grandmother of two boys.

Ms Townson works with the Northern Peninsula Women’s Shelter ATSI Corporation’s Family Resource Centre.

Ms Townson sits on a number of boards including the Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agency (QNADA) as the Indigenous representative for Cape York and Torres Strait. She is also a regional representative with Seisia’s Community Justice Group and a state representative for its Commissioners Forum.

Ms Townson has implemented Bamaga’s Rumble in the Jungle, an adventure-based activity course for at-risk youth that teaches about decision-making and risk-taking in a drug-free environment.

A former Queensland and Australian representative in women’s rugby league, Ms Townson implemented the Indigenous Sporting Icon’s Project for the North Peninsula.

The community-based project teaches at-risk young people about the dangers of alcohol and drugs, by developing a healthy lifestyle through sports and recreation.

For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.cpwonline.org

ENDS

Media contact: Matthew Hyde: 3235 9236