Media Release: ORGANISATIONS AWARDED FOR CHILD WELFARE CONTRIBUTION

FROM THE MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH

DATE: Tuesday, June 17, 2008

ORGANISATIONS AWARDED FOR CHILD WELFARE CONTRIBUTION

Eight organisations dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in Victoria have been honoured at the 2008 Victorian Children Communities Awards.

Announcing the awards, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Services Telmo Languiller paid tribute to the winning organisations and individuals for their dedication to the belief that every child deserved the best possible start in life.

“This year’s winners cover a variety of situations in which children and young people unfortunately find themselves, often through no fault of their own,” Mr Languiller said.

“The support and guidance that organisations like these provide can often mean the difference between a child slipping through the cracks or being able to grow up with the opportunities every child deserves to have.

“The Brumby Government is committed to assisting vulnerable children and families. Our association with the Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation in sponsoring these awards is proof of the importance partnerships between government and the private sector can have in making a difference in the lives of young Victorians.”

The award winners were selected from 100 nominated community organisations that provide services to children and young people across Victoria.

Eight category winners each receive $10,000, with the overall winner receiving $20,000. The prize money is intended to be used for the professional development of the nominated candidate and towards the running cost of the nominated program.

This year’s overall winner of the Victorian Children Communities Awards is the Kids Foundation’s Burn Survivors Network, with founder and executive director Susie O’Neil the nominated recipient. Ms O'Neill established the KIDS Foundation in 1993 as an organisation dedicated to injury prevention and injury recovery.

“The Burn Survivors Network is a national support program to provide services and programs to assist burn survivors and their families to develop a quality of life beyond survival,” Mr Languiller said.

“It is another example of the unconditional compassion, acceptance and charity for others that is a hallmark of Ms O’Neill’s work.”

Other category winners and nominated candidates were:

Disability – MacKillop Family Services (Kathryn Barry and Brooke Webb).Drug & Alcohol – Windana (Karen Efron).Family Support Services – Eastern Access Community Health (Paula Webb). Indigenous – Kilmany Uniting Care (Suzie Egan). New Migrant & Refugee Support – Westside Circus (Alisa Wild). Out of Home Care – CARA Inc (Robyn DiVirgillio).Social Disadvantaged (Melbourne) – Southcare Community Care (Merv Vosehas).Social Disadvantaged (Regional) – Evolve at Typo Station (Merri Greenwood)