Page 4305 - Week 11 - Thursday, 25 October 2018
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and young people in Canberra. Children’s Week is a wonderful way to recognise and celebrate children and young people in our community, and I encourage everyone here to attend the events being held across our city this week if you get an opportunity.
As Minister for Children, Youth and Families I seek to listen to our children and young people and try to engage with them as often as I can. I want to hear from children, know what they have to say, listen to what is important to them, and find out what our next generation is passionate about.
As a society we know that many issues affect children and young people. As a government we make sure that we listen to and consider their views. We do this so they can live their best possible lives and so we can make sure that Canberra is a strong, safe and connected community. It is essential that we listen to children and take on board their suggestions on ways to improve our city to create a future for the next generation. These actions and just by listening empower our young and create a city which is responsive and future focused.
The child development service and child and family centres have also held events in Children’s Week to raise awareness of children’s rights. The Gungahlin Child and Family Centre organised an afternoon tea and get together for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and a brunch for their multicultural groups, our culture at play and Atfaal. This event also incorporated a mini service expo with stalls and input from health, child development service, migrant youth services, and the office for women. The goal of both events was to engage children and their families in activities that are culturally safe and appropriate and create an environment that celebrates the joy of being a child.
Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre’s learn, giggle, and grow group attended the new art exhibition at Tuggeranong Art Centre, which was an interactive exhibition and workshop for toddlers with the theme being playing with colour and nature. An objective was to connect families back to free local community service and centres that promote creative play opportunities for children and families.
The aim of the group for children is to provide a safe and inclusive environment to undertake fun activities that are developmentally appropriate; strengthen relationships between children and their carers; increase social competence, social skills, and problem solving; and provide an opportunity to identify developmental concerns and support appropriate referrals.
The ACT’s three child and family centres and child development service also took part in PlayFest, organised by ACT Playgroups and held on 23 October. PlayFest is the ACT Playgroup’s annual festival of fun for families with children under school age. Together with a raft of community organisations, government agencies, sporting bodies, and businesses, ACT Playgroups provides families with information and a taste of some of the many children’s activities available in the ACT. I understand around 1,500 people attended this event this week. Indeed, I was told it may have been up to 2,000.
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