Maari Ma Wins State Award for Child Protection
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Bob Davis, said he is very pleased that Maari Ma has been recognised state-wide for the work it has been doing with children.
Minister for Family and Community Services, Gabrielle Upton, yesterday announced the ‘Play Your Part’ Awards at Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney in recognition of 2014 National Child Protection Week.
Ms. Upton said the ‘Play Your Part’ Awards, run by the National Association of Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) are an important way for inspiring prevention initiatives to be acknowledged and applauded.
Maari Ma was one of two award winners in New South Wales for its Early Years Project work helping to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children in the far west.
Mr Davis said it is great news that the Early Years work has been acknowledged through this award.
“We very much wanted to improve the development and well-being of Aboriginal children in Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and Ivanhoe and together with government and non government agencies we developed a strategic framework four years ago.
“From that developed our Early Years Project and includes our Healthy Start Playgroup, Little Kids and Books, an after school Cooking Group and the Early Years Discussion Group – which is a group made up of early childhood educators and carers across the region.
“ We have staff who drive these activities with a great deal of enthusiasm and dedication to children and their families – all working together to promote the importance of the early years in a child’s life.
“The Early Years Project tackles issues which are not directly health-related and yet are some of the social determinants of health such as safety, early literacy, health literacy and quality early childhood education and care.
“I would also like to thank our partners in this valuable work - CAGES Foundation, Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the communities of Broken Hill, Menindee, Wilcannia and Ivanhoe” Mr Davis said.
ENDS
11 September 2014
Available for Interview
Community Safety Research Project Officer, Claudett Dixon ( who accepted the award on behalf of Maari Ma )
Ph: 8082 9777