Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

The annual Queensland Child Protection Awards publicly acknowledge the efforts, commitment and unreserved energy of many people who make a significant contribution to our community to prevent child harm and neglect.

It is hoped the awards will inspire others to continue to work towards ensuring the wellbeing of our children.

Child Protection Award winners - 2011

The 2011 Child Protection Award Winners were recognised at the official Launch and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, 1 September 2011 at Parliament House.

Award recipients include:

  • Professional (Non-Government) Award

    Presented by Max Walters, Managing Director, Channel 7

    Winner – Hetty Johnston, founder and executive director, Bravehearts Inc.

    For an outstanding contribution to promoting child protection issues, as a professional working in the child protection (or related) field.

    For over 15 years, Hetty Johnston has fearlessly advocated for education and legislative reform in the area of child sexual assault.  Her nationally recognised leadership has grown the Gold Coast-based charity, Bravehearts, into a national agency whose programs empower and support hundreds of thousands of Australian children and their families.

  • Professional (Government) Award

    Presented by the Minister for Child Safety

    Winner – Corelle Davies, Brisbane-based Child Safety Director, Queensland Health.

    For an outstanding contribution to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service.

    Corelle Davies’ work is well known across all Queensland Government agencies that are linked with providing services to children, and particularly those with a focus on child protection.  Corelle has been the Child Safety Director for Queensland Health since the inception of the Child Safety Director positions in 2005.  Corelle is the master of collaboration with excellent foresight and patience enough to listen and nurture people to work better together.

  • Volunteer Award

    Presented by Kay McGrath, Journalist, Channel 7

    Winner – Jill Wesche, of Forest Lake (south west of Brisbane). Child witness support volunteer with Protect All Children Today Inc (PACT)

    For invaluable contributions made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

    Jill Wesche has been an active Child Witness Support Volunteer (CWSV) with Protect All Children Today Inc. (PACT) for over 10 years and has consistently been prepared to carry a heavy caseload.  To date she has supported over 500 child witnesses and their families throughout their stressful and traumatic involvement in the criminal justice system as victims or witnesses to abuse and crime.

  • Regional Program Award

    Presented by Pam Martin, Director of Marketing, KFC

    Winner – Thursday Night Live Initiative – Mt Isa Substance Misuse Action Group.

    For regional program addressing an aspect of child protection.

    Thursday Night Live is an innovative initiative developed by the Mount Isa Substance Misuse Action Group (MISMAG) as a means to decrease risky behaviour by young people during Thursday late night shopping. The action group operates under the Safe Communities banner and consists of a group of people from within the Mount Isa community working together to provide a coordinated approach to reducing harm associated with substance misuse for young people.

  • Education Initiative Award

    Presented by the David Fagan, Editor-in-Chief, Queensland Newspapers

    Winner – Bruce and Denise Morcombe, Daniel Morcombe Foundation Inc.

    For development of an innovative approach, research or resource to promote child protection.

    Bruce and Denise Morcombe have continued, in the face of personal adversity and hardship since the abduction of their son Daniel, to promote the ongoing message of child safety and a range of initiatives that support harm prevention and provide support and resources to parents, children, schools and organisations around Queensland and Australia through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

  • Youth Participation Award

    Presented by the Minister for Child Safety

    Winner – Legal Aid Queensland Child Protection Unit and Youth Advocate (Brisbane).

    For recognising the involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people.

    Legal Aid Queensland’s Child Protection Unit and Youth Advocate lawyers work tirelessly together, and as individuals, both at work and in their spare time to increase awareness of the protection of children and young people.

    Outside of Legal Aid Queensland, they are members of the Queensland Law Society’s Children’s Law Section and are also involved in the establishment of the Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland.

    The Child Protection Unit provides specialist legal services to vulnerable parents, children and young people, assisting them with child protection and related matters. The Youth Advocate advises, assists and represents young people under the age of 18 in child protection matters and complaints about government service provision.

More information on the Awards recipients is available.