September 18, 2022
Some of the busiest – and most dedicated – local workers filled Kingaroy RSL Club’s Tobruk Room recently for the annual Child Protection Week dinner.
The dinner, which incorporated fundraising auctions and the presentation of local awards, was compered by guidance officer Sean Wicks from Kingaroy State High School.
Guest speakers included former South Burnett Child Safety manager Tricia Smith, who retired six years ago after a 44-year career in the field.
Current manager Melissa Venn praised Tricia as a “fierce advocate” for child safety workers and the profession.
Tricia said she had spent the past two years reflecting on her career to write a memoir, which will be published soon.
She spent the last 15 years of her working life based in Kingaroy.
Tricia admitted that although there had been bad days, “the highs more than outweighed the lows”.
The second guest speaker was mental health professional Belinda Thomson, from Evolve Therapeutic Services on the Sunshine Coast.
Belinda has spent more than 25 years working with children and families.
She has recently released a book, “Your Brilliant Brain”, to fill a gap in resources available to explain the effects of trauma to young audiences.
The illustrated children’s book is available as a free download (912kb PDF) from Queensland Health.
Child Safety Acting Regional Executive Director Leanne Black was then called to the stage to present a string of certificates and awards.
The prestigious Joy Kite Award, presented for exceptional practice with families, was shared by joint winners Elizabeth Kennell (Graham House) and Jacqui Grosskopf (South Burnett CTC).
The award, first presented in 2012, acknowledges the legacy of the late Joy Kite who started working in the South Burnett with victims of domestic violence in 2003.
The Susan Jerome Award, named after the former South Burnett CTC Partners In Foster Care manager who died in January 2021, was presented to Helen and Ray Beasley who have been fostering children in the South Burnett for more than 40 years.
[UPDATED with correction. Originally it was stated that Joy Kite Award co-winner Elizabeth Kennell worked for South Burnett CTC]
|
|
|
