Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney this evening recognised the outstanding contribution of 23 regional child care workers at the annual South West Children's Services Shining Star Awards.
"We cannot underestimate the importance of the children's service industry to the development of young Australians, " Mrs McSweeney said.
"On a daily basis more than 2,000 children attend child care in the South-West, so the provision of quality care is of the utmost importance for children and their families.
"These awards build the status of the child care industry and demonstrate to the community the important and valuable work undertaken on behalf of children by these professionals."
Parents, peers and children were invited to nominate individual workers on the basis of their dedication to the profession; consistent professional approach; provision of quality child care; and the promotion of child care within the wider community.
The Minister congratulated all nominees and award winners and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the industry.
The awards recognise individuals working in the children's services industry who demonstrate best practice and outstanding commitment to the profession. The Winners were:
- Rachael Adams, College Community Child Care Centre, Bunbury
- Brooke Allen, Bluebird Child Care Centre, Busselton
- Jodi Blechynden, Riverlinks Out of School Care Centre, Australind
- Kelli Bowless, Family Day Care, Australind/Collie/Eaton
- Yvonne Craft, Timber Tots Child Care Centre, Pemberton
- Kirby Curnow, Riverlinks Child Care Centre, Australind
- Eva Fatchett, Dalyellup Child Care Centre, Dalyellup
- Rhonda Graham, In Home Care, Australind/Collie/Eaton
- Amanda Hill, Early Stars Child Care Centre, Glen Iris
- Michelle Ireland, Family Day Care, Bunbury/Dalyellup area
- Barbara Kingston, Family Day Care, Bridgetown/Manjimup/Northcliffe/Pemberton
- Melissa McGinley, Milligan House Child Care Centre, Bunbury
- Catherine Mewitt, ABC Busselton, Busselton
- Yolanda Mighall, Little Taddies Child Care Centre, Pemberton
- Jane Moody, In-home Care, Augusta/Busselton/Dunsborough/Margaret River
- Alex Muir, In-home Care, Bridgetown/Manjimup/Northcliffe/Pemberton
- Tracey Newton, Little Angels Child Care Centre, Bunbury
- Amanda Opie, Munchkin Manor Child Care Centre, Bunbury
- Lauren Redman, Online Child Care Centre, Eaton
- Kym Scott, Bridgetown Early Learning Centre, Bridgetown
- Jimina Shaw. Boyup Brook Early Learning Centre, Boyup Brook
- Dianne St Jack, Family Day Care, Augusta/Busselton/Dunsborough/Margaret River
- Amy Thompson, Collie Child Care Centre, Collie
These awards are in their fourth year and form part of Children's Week 2008.
The event was attended by more than 130 guests at the Koombana Bay Sailing Club in Bunbury.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
