54 reasons

#ChildrensWeek starts tomorrow - a week to celebrate the wonder of childhood and the rights of children! Across the country, 54 reasons' teams are putting the final touches on family fun days, polishing picnic plans, and getting ready to celebrate rights. Here's just a snippet of what we've got coming in the next week: 🛝 Children's Week Family Fun Day on Saturday 19 October in Everton Park (QLD), co-hosted with Children's Rights Queensland. It's so fun that tickets are completely sold out. 🐻 Library Story Time and Teddy Bear Hospital at Mooroopna Ferrari Park (VIC) on Monday 21 October. BYO teddy for a check-up! 🌳 Family day at Echuca Apex Park (VIC) on Tuesday 22 October, with guests including Smiles for Miles Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), Echuca Regional Health, CVGT Employment and Intereach. 🧺 Joining with Playgroup Network Forum to co-host a picnic in Canterbury (Sydney) on Thursday 24 October, with activities and story time. 🌞 We'll host a stall at the Latrobe City Council Children's Expo on Thursday 24 October. Always a great day of entertainment for families! If you're out and about at events this #NationalChildrensWeek and you spot a 54 reasons crew, please come and say hi 👋 For more info on Children's Week, and to find more events, check out https://lnkd.in/gH4CSMCp

📣 We're thrilled to announce that Professor Amanda Third, Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, will be a guest speaker at our World Children's Day webinar 🥳 Make sure you join us on Weds 20 November to hear Amanda and other leading thinkers discuss big ideas in child rights... and what those big ideas mean in practice. 🎟 Grab your free ticket here: https://lnkd.in/gXdGNxMg Professor Third is an international expert in user-centred, participatory research. Her work focuses on children's and young people's technology practices, focusing on marginalised groups and rights-based approaches. She has led child-centred projects to understand children's and young people's experiences of the digital age in 68 countries, working with partners across corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. At the World Children's Day seminar, she'll lead a discussion on child and youth-centred societies, sharing insights from her research and experience working in Australia and internationally.

We're proud to be a collaborating partner with Foodbank WA for this #AntiPovertyWeek event, which aims to highlight the lived experiences and voices of West Australian children. Tickets are still available for the 17 October event, hosted at Government House. Grab yours now to hear about some of the amazing work being done by organisations in WA, and the incredible resilience of children and families in the face of deep systemic challenges. 

This week, the Northern Territory government will introduce legislation to overhaul the Territory's justice policies, including lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10, as well as expanding police powers to enable them to search children at schools, and introducing stricter bail laws under what's known as Declan's Law.    We call on the Chief Minister to instead invest in early intervention and diversionary programs that have been proven to reduce reoffending. Travis Borsi, Northern Territory Director of 54 reasons, says there's no doubt the system needs to change - but focusing on punitive measures like lowering the age will not keep the community safe. “Primary school children should not have to pay the price for a broken youth justice system that does more harm than good. Punitive, tough on crime policies do not work to keep the community safe, and instead perpetuate trauma within the community and keep young kids cycling through a system that is built to fail them,” said Mr Borsi.     “All available evidence suggests that governments cannot jail their way out of the problem, we must address the complex needs of children, including taking a look at the entire picture of children’s wellbeing in the Territory.     “This includes listening to medical, legal and health experts who are all clear that raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14, in line with international standards, and adequately funding early intervention and prevention services are the most effective ways to reduce offending.     It's also been reported that the amendments could see primary aged children searched by police at their schools, using the proposed expansion of wanding powers. “Schools are where children receive education and support to develop. Bringing police and their extraordinary powers into the school yard is a clear sign that the system is broken,” said Mr Borsi.    “We also know the reality is that the children who are most likely to be subjected to these intrusive and stigmatising searches are also those from communities that are already most likely to be over policed.    “Territorians deserve to feel safe within their communities, but we can’t continue down the path of punitive measures, which have never worked.    “We strongly urge the Chief Minister to reconsider pushing through legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility and instead listen to the experts and advice that outline the tangible ways we can keep communities safe while promoting rehabilitation and healing.” 

Heading to FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia) Conference 2024? Don't miss our very own Florence Opaye's presentation on Wednesday 16 Oct at 12pm. Flo will be speaking about creating culturally informed approaches within domestic and family violence services -- diving into topics like respecting cultural identity and intersections, and how to forge strong connections to community when supporting children and protective caregivers. Make your way to Session 1D: 'The Hidden Epidemic: Rethinking Domestic Violence and Recovery' at noon on Wednesday to hear Flo's insights - along with amazing speakers from MARSS - Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services and Sisters Support Inc. Hope to see you there! For more information on FECCA 2024, head to https://lnkd.in/gZW7kAnr #FECCAConference2024 #FECCA2024 #FECCAConference #DomesticAndFamilyViolence #DFV #CulturallyResponsive #InclusivePractices

✨Get inspired this upcoming World Children’s Day with our free child rights webinar!🧑💻 Tix: https://lnkd.in/gJ7zH-Pv On Wednesday 20 November, we’re hosting a collaborative online conversation about how a child rights approach can drive systems change – and how we can make that change together. Hear from leaders across our sector about how the growing momentum behind a #ChildRights approach can make much-needed difference, and what it looks like to uphold children’s rights at a systemic level. You’ll also get a sneak peek at some exciting new initiatives aimed at raising the profile of children’s rights in Australia and supporting meaningful collaboration in the child rights space! Whether you work with children and young people, or you’re just really passionate about children’s rights, we hope you’ll join us🌞 Book your free spot now: https://lnkd.in/gJ7zH-Pv

Mooroopna Kinder has been an essential part of the #GreaterShepparton community for more than 70 years, supporting local families with free, high-quality care for 3 and 4 year-olds. 🛝Enrolments are now open for 2025!🎈Let your friends in the #Shepparton & #GoulburnValley area know!📣 Spots are available for up to 15 hours of free kinder per week. Through play-based and culturally-appropriate learning, we support children to grow their core literacy and numeracy skills; nurture their social and emotional skills; connect with their cultures; and become confident to transition to school. Many families have been coming to Mooroopna Kinder for generations, or stay in touch with us for years after they 'graduate'. It's a truly special place, where meaningful relationships are built, and a lifelong love of learning can begin. We look forward to welcoming new families in 2025! ℹ️ You can find out more and connect with the Kinder team by emailing VIC@54reasons.org.au Greater Shepparton City Council Shepp Adviser Shepparton News Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc Terri-Leigh Bentancourt Gai Campbell

QCOSS' Living Affordability Report ( https://lnkd.in/gkuAEq7Z ) highlights that Queensland is forcing a new generation of children into poverty, with low-income households struggling to afford the basics.   Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat and, in some cases, can’t afford fuel to get their child to school.   Queensland families and children deserve better. To see communities thrive we must see more investment to supporting the next and future generations to have equal opportunities and resources.   𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿   Anglicare NQ Anglicare Southern Queensland Anglicare Central Queensland Queensland Meals on Wheels Ltd Relationships Australia (Qld) Carinity 54 reasons Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd Act for Kids Volunteering Queensland YMCA Queensland Financial Counsellors' Association of QLD Inc

We've loved exploring the new CHANGE Children’s Feedback Tool - a practical, interactive resource for those working with children and young people who have experienced family violence. In responding to domestic and family violence, children can be seen as extensions of the adults in their lives - but they have unique and important views, experiences and needs. And they deserve to be seen and heard as victim-survivors in their own right. The Children's Feedback Tool is built on this very idea, created alongside and informed by children and young people with lived experience of family violence. It seeks to address gaps between what children and young people identify as important in their family violence response and recovery, and what is happening in practice. ➡ Check it out here: www.changefeedbacktool.au The Tool has been developed through the Children’s Voices for Change research project, which you can learn more about here: https://lnkd.in/g_iAQmdG. The project was led by Dr Georgina Dimopoulos of Southern Cross University, along with researchers at Swinburne University of Technology, and project partners Safe and Equal and the Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare. Big thanks to all involved for creating such a valuable resource👏

Last week, we were delighted to welcome Julian Hill MP for a visit to It Takes a Village in Doveton. It Takes a Village is a program designed to build community and connection for #migrant and #refugee children and families as they adapt to life in Australia. Along with a supported playgroup, families can access life skills classes, family support and case work to support their settlement journey. These sustained wraparound services strengthen social networks, grow personal and community capacity, and get children school-ready. When you talk to the children, caregivers or staff involved in the It Takes a Village program you immediately understand that it is special. For the families it’s a source of joy and support they plan their week around. The staff understand its importance and will do anything in their power to support the program and the families involved to thrive. Thank you, Assistant Minister Hill, for taking the time to connect with our amazing community, learn about their hopes and needs, and share your commitment to realising their rights. We hope you enjoyed the playtime as much as our little ones did! Learn more about how 54 reasons supports newly-arrived migrant and refugee families here: https://lnkd.in/ggXsNbFW