State Patron’s Message of Support for Children’s Week 2008

 

The greatest ambition of any society is the desire to create a community that cares for children and nurtures its greatest asset – children and young people.

 

We can do this by providing opportunities for our own children to grow and develop into healthy adults, or being part of a community that daily strives to provide a safe and loving environment for young people.

 

For government, it means providing support for, and advice to, parents and carers, to ensure children and young people reach their full potential.  This reflects my personal belief that the protection and development of these vulnerable and trusting young people is the responsibility of us all.

 

As State Patron of Children’s Week, I am delighted to be involved in an event that encourages the whole community to celebrate childhood.

 

All children have the right to live in an environment which provides opportunities for them to grow and develop into healthy, well-adjusted adults.  The 2008 Children’s Week ongoing theme, A Caring World Shares, highlights the role of the whole community in making this happen.

 

It is a theme which I think we all need to take to heart.  In my role as Director-General of the Department of Child Safety, I see examples every day of people going out of their way to give children a chance, whether it is our dedicated staff who work day in and day out protecting and supporting vulnerable children, or our wonderful foster and kinship carers who are giving the next generation the best possible start in life.  Children’s Week and its activities remind us of that important responsibility.

 

The week-long festival includes activities held throughout the state from 17 to 26 October aimed at bringing children and adults together.  The Children’s Week Association co-ordinates these activities which are conducted by a variety of organisations in the community including the Creche and Kindergarten Association, Playgroup Associations, neighbourhood centres and schools.      

 

Scouting organisations will also host various events as part of their Year of the Scout celebrations, and a highlight of the festival will be Universal Children’s Day on October 22.

 

I congratulate the Children’s Week Association for its continued role in focussing the community’s attention on the safety and well-being of our children.

 

It is an aim we can only achieve by working together.

Norelle Deeth

Director - General,

Department of Child Safety