Media release
From the Minister for Community Services
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
child protection workers honoured in annual awards
Community Services Minister Lisa Neville has launched Child Protection Week by honouring a select group of child protection workers.
Announcing this year’s winners of the Robin Clark Memorial Awards tonight, Ms Neville said the honourees had all made an outstanding contribution to assisting the State’s most vulnerable children and families.
Ms Neville said while the Brumby Government’s focus on early intervention for children and families at risk “had achieved momentous change in a relatively short time”, the issue was not one for government or the child and family services sector alone.
“But the community is recognising that the protection of children, and the support of families to enable them to do the best for their children, is not just a matter for funded services, or for the courts, or for government departments. The responsibility rests with the wider community,” MS Neville said.
“This Government and the sector have delivered significant reforms to Victoria’s child and family services and will continue to lead the way,” Ms Neville said.
“I am continually impressed by the level of dedication and passion evident across the sector, and the willingness to embrace change.
“Tonight’s awards are a chance for us to all recognise some of the people who really making a difference. The people honoured embody the spirit of Robin Clark, who was passionate about a sector-based approach to child protection.”
The Robin Clark Memorial Awards recognise and encourage work of the highest standards in service provision and practice-based research in community, government and academic organisations to improve the lives of children, young people and families in Victoria.
The awards were established in Robin Clark’s honour by the Victorian Government at the time of her death in 2001. The awards ceremony is now a highlight of Child Protection Week in Victoria.
This year’s award winners:
Robin Clark Memorial Awards
● Making a Difference with Children, Young People and Families
Winners – Mara Long, Department of Human Services placement coordination manager; Dr Peter Eastaugh, general and community paediatrician
● Highly Commended – Michelle Shipperlee, Department of Human Services case support coordinator; Carolyn Worth, South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault manager
Inspirational Leadership in the Field
● Winner – Sandie de Wolf, Berry Street.
● Highly Commended – John Bonnice, St Luke's Anglicare children, youth and family services general manager; Sue Medson, former Goulburn Valley Family Care chief executive officer.
Child Safety Commissioner’s Award for Modelling a Generous Community
● Winner – Claire Brunner.
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