Thursday, 9 June 2022

Ministers statements: Children’s Week

Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood) (12:33): I am really happy to bring it home with something happy and announce that grant applications are now open to Victorian not-for-profit organisations and local councils to help celebrate Children’s Week. Eligible organisations can apply for a grant of $1000 to help host activities for children and their families to celebrate this year’s festivities, which will be held from 22 to 30 October.

Children’s Week is an annual celebration across Australia dedicated to children, their rights and their achievements. Most importantly it is an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for children to enjoy their childhood. Grants will support free community activities such as art exhibitions, outdoor activities, dance workshops, arts and crafts, music and storytelling, drawing competitions and picnics. Despite the challenges of the pandemic last year, more than 18 000 Victorian children and families took part in Children’s Week across 107 grant-funded events. This year’s Children’s Week will bring communities together after the challenges of the pandemic, and the grants will help local organisations to host fun and exciting events. Applications close on 15 July, and a calendar of events will be available in September.

Children’s Week is a wonderful opportunity to remind parents about the importance of early childhood years, something that we are very dedicated to in the Andrews Labor government. Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years, and I am proud to support eligible organisations with these grants.