Child Protection Week Awards for Indigenous programs

Two innovative programs improving indigenous communities in Queensland have been honoured in this year’s Child Protection Week Awards.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today announced the Regional Award winner was Sonia Townson, while Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project team has taken out the Professional Award.

Regional Award winner Sonia Townson is an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer and has been a driving force in Bamaga programs for young people at high risk of becoming alcohol or drug abusers.

The Professional (non-government) Award was won by Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project team who set up a transitional placement program for an Indigenous sibling group with complex emotional, behavioural and cultural needs.

“The Bligh Government’s child protection system is a holistic approach and its thanks to the support of our government partners that we can protect Queensland’s at risk children,” Mrs Keech said.

“The Bligh Government is looking over the horizon and by supporting our community partners we are building a first class child protection system.

“The government allocated $85,000 to community groups across Queensland so they can 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.

Ms Townson said she liked to emphasise the benefit of making good choices.

“My passion is to work with young people and educate them about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. I try to teach them there is a life other than 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.”

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 is employed by the Northern Pensinsula Women’s Shelter ATSI Corporation’s Family Resource Centre. She 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.

The Robgill Project team - Brett Sceats, Trent Savill, Stephen Hoban, Clare Breaden - and youth workers therapeutically supported a group of siblings with complex needs for almost six months to enable their transition to, and ongoing placement with a foster carer.

The highly responsive work of the Robgill Project team enabled the short-term stabilisation of the siblings in a residential setting.

The therapeutic case plan developed for the young people focused on working with the local Recognised Entity for cultural support and the stabilisation and transition of the children to a foster care placement.

Mr Screats said the team was specifically able to involve children in their community and enable regular contact with their family of origin.

“The program was really rewarding for our team as the children have made so much progress and now appear to have a really positive future ahead of them,” Mr Sceats said.

Mrs Keech publicly honoured Ms Townson and the Rodgill Project team and six other child protection workers and advocates at 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.”

Department of Child Safety’s Child Protection Week Awards

·Professional (non-government) – Commitment to promoting child protection issues in their capacity as a professional working in the child protection (or related) field.

Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project Team: Brett Sceats, Trent Savill, Stephen Hoban and Clare Breaden

·Volunteer – Invaluable contributions made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

Peter Jukes of the Pyjama Foundation

·Public Sector – Outstanding contributions to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service.

Leanne Scoines, child protection worker with Child Protection After Hours

·Regional Program – Program that operates within part of, or across, a whole region to address some aspect of child protection.

Sonia Townson, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer, Bamaga

·Education Initiative – Development of an innovative approach or resource to promote child protection.

Detective Senior Sergeant Charysse Pond of Safehands

·Youth Participation – Involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people.

St Francis Xavier School, Goodna

·Research Initiative – Academic research or project work that contributes to improved child protection outcomes.

Dr Maree Crawford, paediatrician, Child Advocacy Service, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane

·Media – Recognises an article or series which highlight child protection issues.

Caroline Hutchinson, 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast Daily

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

ENDS

Media contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236