The Whitsunday community has actively participated in NCPW for many years. They were so committed to the week that they established a working committee in May 2005 to plan for events in September. Inspired by the Child Friendly Challenges in NCPW 2005 they decided they wanted to keep preventing child abuse on their agenda all year round. In NCPW 2005 the action group was formed.
Since September 2005 they have held regular monthly meetings with up to 15 attendees from a broad range of professional backgrounds. Their profile and support is increasing with word of mouth promotion within the small and connected Whitsunday community.
Their main focus is action; taking steps to make the Whitsundays child friendly.
Since its formation the Child friendly Community Action Group has:
- Organised a whole of community Christmas event where children, families, police, firemen, businesses and service providers came together for a BBQ, craft activities and games;
- Developed and distributed a brochure titled "Child Protection in the Whitsundays" containing information on child abuse and neglect and contact details for all government and non-government service providers in the Whitsundays;
- Currently establishing relationships and partnerships with other organisations including Building Safer Communities Action Team ( funded by Department of Communities QLD) and Mackay based regional network of the Domestic Violence Child Protection Plan Implementation Group (DV CP PIG)
- In 2006 they held an information stall at the Cannonvale School fete. The information was displayed for all to see. They had balloons and colour-in activites for the children; safety hand drawing etc.
- Children in Proserpine State School and Cannonvale State School during last years Child Protection Week. The theme was 'Child Friendly Communities Keep Kids Safe'.
They produced two brochures, one for children, and one for adults/service providers:
Child friendly community art from the Whitsundays:
View the Child Friendly Community Action Kit HERE |
