2008

The 2008 Awards

The 2008 Catholic Social Services Australia Awards were held on the 13th October during the Catholic Social Services Australia National Conference in Brisbane.

The Awards recognise and promote the work of Catholic Social Services Australia Member Organisations and of individuals working in the broader social services sector.

Three awards were announced - two, which are open exclusively to member organisations, and a third which is open to all individuals working in the social services sector.

Catholic Social Services Australia acknowledges the generous sponsorship contribution from Catholic Church Insurances (CCI) who have supported this important event for many years.

This year's winners include a ground breaking program for at-risk youth in Sydney's western suburbs; a woman whose determination and commitment to her local rural community has seen a drop in the number of male suicides in several communities in South Australia; and a program which is changing anti social behaviour among Indigenous Youth in Toowoomba.

Each winner received a trophy and a cheque for $750.

NORMA PARKER AWARD FOR THE MOST INNOVATIVE PROGRAM

Marist Youth Care's Model: linking housing, health, education, training and employment outcomes for ‘at risk' young people.
This award highlights outstanding achievement by a member of Catholic Social Services Australia which offers programs that set trends and benchmarks in their area of service. The award is presented in honour of Norma Parker, who co-founded Australia's first professionally organised child and family welfare agency.

At-risk youth living in Sydney's western suburbs are the beneficiaries of this truly innovative program run by Marist Youth Care, BoysTown (Qld) and TranZend. This ground breaking new program aims to foster a pathway to independence for at-risk youth by linking clinical and practical support, accommodation, health, training, education an employment programs. These young people are far from the mainstream. The intensively case managed program offers them stability and solidarity as they move towards a better future.

PERKINS AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL)

Merrill Lymn
This award is presented to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to service and is open to the general public. The award is presented in honour of Bishop Eric Perkins, who had a major impact on national Catholic social policy.

This award was presented to a woman whose determination and commitment to her local rural community has seen a local response that includes much educative work directed towards the rural community. Folk involved have included the rural workforce, health workers, local government and farmers and their partners. The number of male suicides in the region has subsequently dropped as Merrill was determined that other local men would not take their own lives. She introduced Men's Nights, collaborated with a local Drought Counsellor to coordinate the Family Matters Program and also instigated the Flying Nun Tour that toured in several communities. Her intervention and leadership in rural social care has meant better services for vulnerable people. Her efforts have also led to increased funding for a number of programs in the area.

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE (ORGANISATIONAL)

Whaddup Youth Program
This award is presented to the program which has most successfully met or is meeting the needs of a local community.

The Whaddup Youth Program, which aims to change anti social behaviour among Indigenous Youth in Toowoomba, was created by a local woman in response to the overrepresentation of young Indigenous people in the court system.

Indigenous Administrative Coordinator Stacey McCarthy, developed and implemented the program with support from a team of volunteers. Come Friday night, around 70 young Indigenous people and their non Indigenous friends are ferried to a venue where they enjoy a barbeque and sports and games. Everyone who attends is expected to actively take part. Respect for one another and the venue is a given. Inappropriate behaviour draws penalties ranging from cleaning the barbeque to suspension for a couple of weeks. Local Indigenous elders are delighted with the program and the project is also highly regarded in justice circles in Toowoomba. Other communities are keen to initiate similar programs.

Photographs are available on request. Contact details are available for award winners. Please contact Judith Tokley at Judith.tokley@catholicsocialservices.org.au.

Further general information on the Catholic Social Services Australia Awards and details of previous award winners available here.