The Queensland Government is calling for nominations in the 2009 Child Protection Awards, Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers said today.

Carolyn Male said the Child Protection Awards were an acknowledgment of the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland.

“Protecting our children is an enormous responsibility. We are looking for people who have gone far beyond the call of duty to protect children and young people in Queensland.”

Carolyn Male said this year’s Child Protection Week theme, Take Action for Child Protection, was a call for everyone in the community to acknowledge their responsibility in protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

“Each year’s Child Protection Award winners inspire us all to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people.”

The awards presentation ceremony would be held at the launch of Child Protection Week on September 3 at Parliament House.

Awards will be presented to individuals or groups in the following categories:
• Professional-non-government - for an outstanding contribution to promoting child protection issues in their capacity as a professional working in child protection
• Professional-government - for an outstanding contribution to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service
• Volunteer - for invaluable contributions by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies
• Regional program - for a program that operates within part of, or across, a whole region to address some aspect of child protection
• Education Initiative - for the development of an innovative approach or resource to promote child protection
• Youth participation - for the involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people, and
• Media - to recognise an article or series which highlights child protection issues

Awards nominations close on July 13, 2009. For nomination forms please phone my office on 3205 6779 or email your postal details to pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au and I will send the forms to you.