The Katherine regional winners of the Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards were announced today.

The Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication, commitment and achievements of foster and kinship carers, staff and young people that have experienced out-of-home care and the enormous contribution they make to the lives of vulnerable children in every community across the Northern Territory.

Territory Families Chief Executive Officer Ken Davies said the awards provided the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our valuable carers and the community of people who support children in out-of-home care.

“These awards are for the children thriving in the care of a loving family, the siblings who go the extra mile to make them feel welcome in their home and the support staff who believe that going above and beyond is a part of their job,’’ he said.

“This year we received more than 170 nominations from across the Territory highlighting the important role of foster and kinship carers, staff and young people to support children in care to feel safe, secure and supported.”

The Katherine regional winners of the Foster and Kinship Carer Awards are:

·       Outstanding Contribution by a Foster Carer – Davina and Trevor Griffiths

·       Outstanding Contribution by a Kinship Carer - Anastacia Wilfred and Lynette Tasman        

·       Outstanding Commitment by a Territory Families staff member – Toni Stevens

·       Outstanding Contribution by a Sibling – Name withheld for privacy

·       Young Person Achievement Award – Name withheld as they are a child in care

“I would like to congratulate all the winners for their outstanding achievement and thank them for their dedication and commitment to support children and young people in care and for the work they do in strengthening our communities,” Mr Davies said.

Regional events are being held in Galiwin’ku, Wurrumiyanga, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Darwin and Groote Eylandt to celebrate the Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards and National Children’s Week which is on from 19-28 October 2018.

“Children’s Week is a time for us to celebrate all children across the Northern Territory,” Mr Davies said.

“Children are at the centre of everything we do at Territory Families and our foster and kinship carers play a critical role in keeping children and young people safe while giving them every opportunity to thrive.

“All children in the Northern Territory deserve to have safe, happy and healthy childhoods. It’s important that we all play our part to support and protect children and young people so they can have a bright future.”

Territory Families media contact:

Amy Sloan

0447 863 571