Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport Phil Reeves today confirmed Queensland league legend Steve Renouf as the official ambassador for this year’s Child Protection Week.
“Steve Renouf is well known throughout Queensland and Australia. His rugby league career spanned 12 seasons when he played 183 games for the Brisbane Broncos, 11 State of Origin games and nine test matches,” Mr Reeves said.
“However, along with the fame and fortune of such a successful career, Steve has also faced many challenges in his life, including racism and diabetes. But his strength, humility and values have helped him become an admirable role model and a tireless worker for the benefit of others.
Mr Reeves said Renouf’s personal passion and commitment to social issues was admirable and he used his profile to raise awareness for issues such as discrimination, diabetes and junior sport.
“He is currently the Department of Communities’ ambassador for the True Sports Live Here program that encourages good sportsmanship by coaches, officials, parents and players in junior sport. He is also an ambassador for other projects such as Indigenous Sport, Find Your 30 and Queensland Rail’s Look, Listen Live.
“Steve plays a significant role with Queensland’s Q150 celebrations advisory committee, the Youth Violence Taskforce, Speaking Out Against Discrimination and Queensland Junior Rugby League. He is the founder of Diabete-Ezy,” Mr Reeves said.
“He is also an ambassador for the Reconciliation Awards which recognise and reward businesses, communities and individuals who embrace reconciliation and acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories.”
The Bligh Government has announced funding of almost $90,000 to the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to assist with the Queensland commemoration of Child Protection Week in September.
Proposed Child Protection Week activities include the official launch, the annual Child Protection Awards ceremony, a remembrance ceremony, CREATE dinner for young people, organised activities and displays in Brisbane and state libraries and statewide community activities.
“This year’s Child Protection Week theme, Take Action for Child Protection, is a call for everyone in the community to acknowledge their responsibility to help protect our most vulnerable citizens. Our children are our future and they have the right to expect us to keep them safe,” Mr Reeves said.
Steve Renouf will be guest MC at the Child Protection Week dinner at the Sebel & Citigate, King George Square, Brisbane, on Friday, September 11.
The Child Protection Awards will be presented at the launch of Child Protection Week on September 3 at Parliament House.
“Each year’s Child Protection Award winners inspire us all to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people. This is our opportunity to publicly acknowledge these individuals and organisations,” Mr Reeves said.
“The Child Protection Awards acknowledge the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland.”
Awards will be presented to individuals or groups in the following categories:
·Professional (non-government)
·Professional (government)
·Volunteer
·Regional program
·Education initiative
·Youth participation
·Media.
The award winners will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to prevention of child harm or the promotion of the protection of children and young people.
Nominations close on July 13, 2009.
For more information, including eligibility criteria and nomination forms for the awards, visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au, or contact Child Protection Week Awards project officer Caitlin King on (07) 3844 6414.
Media contact: Minister's office 3235 9236
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