August 29, 2013
Tricia Smith, from the South Burnett Child Safety Service Centre, has been presented with a prestigious State award at the official launch of Child Protection Week.
Ms Smith was presented with the Child Safety Week Professional (Government) Award in a ceremony at Parliament House in Brisbane today.
She was one of four individuals and eight organisations that won awards.
Child Safety Minister Tracy Davis said the awards recognised the winners’ dedication and commitment towards protecting some of the State’s most vulnerable children and young people.
“Child Protection Week is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the selflessness and hard work of everyday Queenslanders who help to prevent child abuse and neglect in our communities,” Ms Davis said.
“Working with children who have experienced abuse or neglect can often be challenging and confronting.
“The role individuals and organisations play in protecting Queensland’s children and young people should never be understated.”
Ms Davis said an additional award was presented to Joanne Stout from the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, for her exceptional work to reconnect children to their family, community and culture.
The awards ceremony marked the Queensland launch of National Child Protection Week, which runs from September 1–7.
Other award recipients were:
- Professional (Non-Government) Award: Denise Coputt, Save the Children Australia.
- Volunteer Award: Lavina Little
- Regional Program Award: Love Bites Program, Bundaberg and District Steering Committee
- Education Initiative Award (two winners): Safe Is project, The Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School Inc; Gilimbaa and Family Planning Queensland and SUPA Kids, Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc.
- Youth Participation: CREATE Foundation, This Roadmap Is Our Future: Young people having a say in the Carmody Inquiry.
- Media and Communications Award: Day for Daniel Campaign, Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
- Community Initiative Award: Youth Cultural Hot Spot Response, delivered in partnership with Micah Projects and Queensland Police.
