June 2003

Awards celebrate leadership in child and family welfare

Five workers from the Community Care Sector have been recognised for their outstanding service and inspirational leadership in the 2003 Robin Clark Memorial Awards.

Announcing the awards, Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt praised the exceptional contributions of award winners in their support for children and families in need.

‘The community care sector provides a lifeline for many vulnerable children and families,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘These community care workers have shown compassion and strength to help people in crisis and provide them with the support to re-establish their lives.

‘Their outstanding contributions ensure that the community care sector continues to be effective in reaching out to people in need.’

The inaugural Robin Clark Awards were held last year in recognition of the enormous contribution of the former Child and Family Welfare senior manager who died in 2001.

‘Robin was a widely respected and inspirational leader, a role model in the child and family welfare field.’

There are two award categories—inspirational leadership in the field and making a difference in working with children, young people and families.

Muriel Cadd and Glenys Bristow were dual winners in the leadership category.

Ms Cadd is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and Chair of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care.

Ms Garbutt said her contribution to the Aboriginal community has made significant differences to Aboriginal children and young people in care.

Ms Cadd’s support and encouragement of her staff had ensured children received a high level of care when they were unable to live with their families.

Ms Bristow is the Training and Policy Development Senior Manager at Salvation Army Westcare.

She has worked for 20 years in the Placement and Support Out of Home Care sector.

Ms Garbutt said Ms Bristow was known as a strong advocate for organisational change, resulting in better services and outcomes for young people in care.

Her commitment to mentoring and skill development for sector workers was underlined by her role in establishing the Salvation Army Westcare Registered Training Organisation in 2002.

Yvonne Luke was the winner in the making a difference with children, young people and families category with commendations for Jenny Cummings and Cath Powell.

Ms Luke is a specialist Koorie Justice Worker with the Victorian Aboriginal and Community Services Association.

Her primary role is to ensure that Aboriginal young people are supported and represented within the juvenile justice system and diverted where possible.

Ms Luke was acknowledged and recognised for her dedication to young people.

Her advocacy for education for Aboriginal young people led to the establishment of the Koorie Programs Unit at Kangan Batman TAFE in Broadmeadows, including a pre-training course for 14-year-olds.

They previously only accepted 15-year-olds and above.

Ms Cummings is a Regional Director at Berry Street Victoria.

She specialises in working with ‘high risk’ young people.

She has been involved in many initiatives designed to improve outcomes for young people and promote a better understanding of their needs.

Ms Powell is a Team Leader with the Southern Metropolitan Region of the Juvenile Justice Program.

Her strong commitment to the implementation of Client Service Planning has resulted in young people, their families and professionals working together for better outcomes for clients.

Award nominations were taken from volunteers and people working in either Public Service or community sector organisations.