Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Ministers statements: child protection awards

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:43): This week is National Child Protection Week, with the theme for the year being Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action. Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating both the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing child protection staff awards and the Victorian Protecting Children Awards to recognise both the effort and the passion of all those who work in the children and family system across our state. This year for the fourth year in a row we received a record number of nominations, with 178 being received. This demonstrates the amazing work undertaken each and every day by our dedicated child protection and family services sector and workforces. I had the privilege to announce the DFFH inspiring leader award and two emerging leader awards to our child protection workforce in the afternoon, and in the evening I was delighted to announce the winner of the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Protecting Children, Corey Harrison from the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency.

When I was first sworn into the child protection portfolio and visited VACCA’s head office in Preston, Corey spoke to me directly about how VACCA’s Nugel program has been leading in the delivery of self-determined child protection services to families. His time that day and the advice he gave me on the importance of their work have stayed with me since, and we were able to collectively celebrate how Corey is ensuring that Aboriginal children, young people and families are protected and remain culturally supported, connected and self-determined. Corey has been instrumental in implementing VACCA’s Nugel program in inner Gippsland and western metropolitan regions, offering a model of Aboriginal-led child protection practice as part of the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program. During the pandemic Corey created a video with senior Aboriginal staff on mental health messaging, with this video remaining one of VACCA’s most viewed, with over 15,000 likes and 203 shares. Can I take the opportunity to congratulate all nominees, finalists and winners across both award events. You turn up each and every day for children, young people, families and carers who need your support. You turn up and you make a meaningful difference for children and families across Victoria. As a Parliament we acknowledge and thank you.