The Toowoomba CAN started out as a working party to keep child protection on the local agenda all year round. They held their first event: a breakfast at the Parkhouse Cafe, on Tuesday 13 June 2006. Guest speaker - NAPCAN President, Teresa Scott, introduced NAPCAN's vision for a Child Friendly Australia, and how Toowoomba could play a part.
Guests at the event included representatives from Toowoomba City Council, including the Mayor, Councillor Dianne Thorley; University of Southern Queensland, including Australia Day honours recipient Professor Frank Crowther; members of parliament including Mr Mike Horan; Department of Communities and Department of Child Safety; Queensland Education and Queensland Police and Catholic Education; Child Care centres, including C&K; Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support Service; PCYC; Toowomba Hospital Foundation and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce. There was also good media support.
From this meeting, has grown an amazing commitment by members of the Toowoomba community: parents, teachers, neighbours, sports coaches, shop owners, child care workers, councillors etc to make the city a place where children are nurtured, valued, listened to, protected included and loved. The Toowoomba CAN has grown from strength to strength.
Emma is no stranger to NAPCAN QLD as she is a long-time supporter and advocate for our work. Last year, Emma released her popular children's books and played her part by donating some of the profits to funding NAPCAN QLD's core business.
"I have to hand all responsibility (and a great deal of thanks) to Mary-Kate for my introduction and therefore current involvement with NAPCAN. The members of the Toowoomba CAN are all incredibly busy women. Fortunately, appealing to their common sense, their commitment to the community and their belief that children should be greatly valued, has meant that this fabulous team has formed here in Toowoomba. I take this opportunity to thank Ayesha, Tarn, Shana for their enthusiasm and their support.
I have been a jack-of-all-trades (proficient in none!) for years, and after working in both retail and service sectors; owning a catering business; dabbling with workshops and courses in a bid to be a better painter, all teamed up with a secretarial certificate and a marketing degree - well, it completely makes sense to me that I am writing and illustrating and self publishing children's books! With three children, two books and one husband, I am having a ball realizing that I can include everything I love and everything I have learnt into one project . Mary-Kate hand delivered a copy of my first book as a donation to the annual Qld breakfast, believing it to be a perfect fit - a positive story with a positive organization. The more I learn about NAPCAN the more interested I became and subsequently the more fervent my belief that there needed to be some real representation of the organization here in Toowoomba. By initiating a working party here, it is our aim that we raise awareness of NAPCAN and subsequently raise funds for a project manager to be based in Toowoomba."
Mary-Kate comes on board to the NQTWP also as a long time supporter. Here's what Mary-Kate had to say..
"I am an artist and mother of three (Alexander 6, Jemima & Eloise 2 ) living with my husband Tom in Toowoomba. Approximately three years ago, a group of girls I studied Illustration with at Seven Hills Art College joined forces and formed the art group "Stir". We had all become dormant artists - surrounded by housework & children, but determined to make the time to get creative again! So, we set ourselves the goal of working towards an exhibition. Interestingly, the pieces we started to create mostly related to marriage and children & how they had altered our lives. We were in our own kind of "therapy" - and felt very lucky to have our painting as an outlet to keep ourselves sane! NAPCAN was the ideal choice of charity to join forces with! In May 2005 we exhibited the work in conjunction with NAPCAN as a fundraiser. We donated a percentage of the proceeds, & NAPCAN representatives raised money by selling tickets to and drinks at an opening night party. This exhibition was held at Southbank QCA. As a result of this collaboration, I joined NAPCAN and am now keen to do more to help this worthy cause in Toowoomba". Mary-Kate Khoo BA ASDA GDipVA
"As a mother of two beautiful girls (11 & 7), the NAPCAN mission is one I cannot ignore or choose not to be involved in. I have lived in Toowoomba mostly since I was 16, and after a 5-year stint at the Sunshine Coast moved back here partly to be close to family, but also because of the amazing opportunities there are here for families. In Toowoomba I feel that families are valued and community involvement is encouraged. It breaks my heart to think that abuse and neglect happens under our noses - whether we choose to ignore it or simply do not see it, we have to realise that it is ultimately our responsibility. I am involved as President of the P & C of Middle Ridge State School and run my own business as a Personal Shopper - the ultimate job! My husband (builder by trade) is completing his training as a Manual Arts/PE teacher, so our world is slightly mad, just like everyone else I know! I hope that through my contacts with the school and other groups, I can play a part in raising the awareness that child abuse and neglect is preventable, and it is up to all of us".
Tarn is currently living in Toowoomba with her family. She is a full time university student, studying Visual Arts at the University of Southern Queensland . Tarn is a foundation member of ToowoombaCAN.
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