Thursday, 16 November 2023

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:26): I rise to update the house on the 2023 Victorian Early Years Awards. Held last Thursday, the Victorian Early Years Awards are Victoria’s most highly regarded program recognising the many professionals who support young children and their families. These awards celebrate the very best of the work that is happening in kindergartens and early childhood settings right across Victoria, and they also shine a much-deserved spotlight on the incredible role that many professionals in the sector play. These professionals include maternal and child health nurses, playgroup facilitators, and teachers and educators in our early years settings. The work they do in long day care centres, in kindergartens, in preschools, in playgroups, in maternal and child health centres and in schools is of immeasurable value. Congratulations to all of the finalists. They could all have been winners. Their experience and professionalism are key to our Best Start, Best Life reforms, and I am sure that in the eyes of the young people and the young children in their care benefitting from their teaching and service they are all winners.

Selecting a recipient of the Ministers Award from such an impressive pool of finalists was not an easy task. I was delighted to announce that the winner of this year’s award is the northern schools early years K–6 model, the Northern Schools Early Years Cluster. This cluster is an example of collaboration at its best. The northern schools early years K–6 model gives local children stability and continuity of learning as they transition from kindergarten to school. With many of these children amongst our most vulnerable and disadvantaged, the difference this program is making in the lives of local families is immense. It was my pleasure to present the Ministers Award to the northern schools early years K–6 model, the Northern Schools Early Years Cluster. Congratulations to all of the finalists and the winners of the 2023 Victorian Early Years Awards. I look forward to attending many more to celebrate the incredible work our community professionals are doing to support young children and their families.