September 6, 2012
Domestic violence support worker Kate Roth, from Uniting Care Queensland, was honoured with the presentation of the inaugural Joy Kite Award at the 2012 Child Protection Week Awards dinner in Wondai on Wednesday night.
The award, for “Exceptional Practice With Families” acknowledges Kate’s work with children, young people and families.
It has been named after Joy Kite, who started working in the South Burnett with victims of domestic violence in 2003. Joy was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2011 and died in February this year.
She was much-respected by her peers and colleagues for the caring and compassionate way she worked with clients.
Matthew Armstrong, from the South Burnett Child Safety Service Centre, said Kate has been working in the domestic violence sector since 2005.
“Kate directly supports very vulnerable women and children escaping domestic violence. She demonstrates sincerity, commitment, and ability to build strong working relationships with clients and colleagues alike,” he said.
“Kate has wonderful client skills, she is non-judgmental, compassionate and always gives clients the gift of her time. She was nominated or seconded by people from four different agencies which attests to the high regard she has from her colleagues across our community.”
Also awarded at the dinner was Libby Leu, from Queensland Health, who was presented with the South Burnett Child Protection Leadership Award.
This perpetual trophy is given in recognition of someone who has displayed leadership beyond their own specific service or role, which advances the capacity of the community to protect children and support families.
Mr Armstrong said Libby was a consummate social worker and “a pillar of the human services sector in our community”.
“She has worked tirelessly for the South Burnett community in the Social Work Team at Kingaroy Community Health for well in excess of 10 years, and has held other roles in the community prior to that.
“Libby’s commitment to Child Protection is evident in her current role as Child Protection Adviser for Queensland Health locally, and through her involvement in SCAN, the South Burnett Child Protection Reference Group, and the Child Protection Week Planning Committee.
“Libby carries the torch for child protection every single day, and isn’t afraid to challenge the systems and institutions around her when it is needed. However she does this with respect and dignity rather than an adversarial approach
Recognition awards which acknowledge good practice in the child protection/ family support sector in the South Burnett were presented to:
- Kevin Robinson, Nanango State School
- The Under 4s Reference Group, convened by Tracey Howell and Kathryn Hunt
- Taabinga State School, with special mention of Principal Susan Beatty, Deputy Principal Melinda Gothman and Guidance Officer Bernie Shailer
- Kingaroy Probation and Parole
- Jonathon Kotzur, St John’s Lutheran School
- Jillian Potter, Child Protection Liaison Officer at Queensland Health
- Child Safety Officer Derek McLellan
- Extended Midwifery Program at Queensland Health
- The South Burnett Pantry
- Robyn Brownlee, counsellor
- Child Safety Officer Kate Curtain
- Jade Hancock of CTC FIAR House
- The Family History, comprising Jan Evans, Sally Stewart, Lee Ann Cliff, Andrew Saal and Jodi Carlo.
The Rookie of the Year perpetual trophy was awarded to Ali Doherty from Partners in Foster Care.
Mr Armstrong said Ali was a quiet achiever who had shown exceptional skills in working in an open and supportive way with foster carers, while staying focused on children and young people.
Also nominated for this award were Sam Hyde from CTC FIAR House and Jo Smith from Child Safety.
- Related article: Children’s Workers To Be Recognised At Dinner
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