Composition of inaugural Family and Children's Advisory Council

1/7/96

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes today announced the composition of the inaugural Family and Children's Advisory Council.

Mrs Edwardes said the 12-member council would provide advice to the State Government on matters affecting the interests of children and families.

"Mrs Ruth Reid is to chair the council. Mrs Reid has long and extensive involvement in community work including chairperson of the Children's Advisory Council, President of Save the Children Fund and patron of many organisations including Safety Houses Association and Camp for Kids," Mrs Edwardes said.

"The council will prove a valuable service in giving comprehensive and practical advice on issues relating to families and children.

"Apart from this role the council will be a forum to discuss relevant policy and legislation, identify research to further the knowledge and understanding of families and children in Western Australia and it will oversee the operation of Family Week."

Mrs Edwardes congratulated all those appointed to the council.

Its members are:-

Mr John Barich of Ardross, currently the State President of the Australian Family Association, Convenor of the Family Council of WA and Vice President of the Parents and Friends Federation of WA. For the past 20 years Mr Barich has been involved in family policy both personally and professionally. In addition to membership of a number of committees he has worked with the Federal Office of Childcare and Department of Social Security .

Mrs Mary Clark of Wembley Downs, mother of three children, one of whom has a physical disability. An Integration worker for children with special needs, she is also a member of the Catholic Education Special Education Support Committee, Spina Bifida Association, Wheelchair Sports Association and the Education Department's Students With Disabilities Teacher Aid Committee. Mrs Clark brings 27 years of experience and knowledge of issues relating to disabilities.

Mrs Shelley Curry of Woodlands, President Choice For Families - an organisation which represents the interests of parents who choose to stay at home to provide full-time care to their children. A primary school teacher and mother of four children, Mrs Currey has lived and worked in a number of country locations throughout WA. More recently, she has represented the concerns of the members of Choice for Families on issues such as taxation policies, payments allocated for childcare and the status of parents caring for children in the home.

Mrs Shantha Cokis of North Perth was born in Malaysia of an English mother and Indian father. Married to a first generation Greek-Australian, this mother of two has extensive personal and professional experience of multicultural issues. This includes her previous work with the NSW Ethnic Communities Council and WA Office of Multicultural Interests and her academic studies in Aboriginal health, psychology and women's studies.

Mr Brian Gordon, Director Meerilinga Young Children's Foundation and past Director of Perth City Mission. Member of a number of community based committees including the Australian Institute of Management Institute for Non Profit Organisations, Foodbank WA and the Palmerston Drug Research and Rehabilitation Association, Mr Gordon brings a wide knowledge of business as well as an understanding of the needs of families and young people in crisis.

Ms Tracey Gosling, Principal of Culanga All Aboriginal School in Caversham. Ms Gosling has worked with children and families in the metropolitan area. Her valuable knowledge and understanding of issues facing Aboriginal people has been gained through both personal and professional experience.

Mr Sven Silbern, Clinical Psychologist in psychosocial research at the TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. He has a wide-ranging experience of child, adolescent and family mental health issues and is a significant contributor to the recently released WA Child Health Survey. Mr Silbern is currently secretary of the State Government's Youth Suicide Advisory Committee and has been involved for several years in applied clinical research for preventing suicide and promoting mental health of young people.

Dr Judy McDonald, currently Chair of Work in WA Committee of Save the Children Fund, Vice Chair of the Divisional Committee of Save the Children Fund and a member of Kidsafe. Dr McDonald is a retired pediatrician, having spent much of her working life at the Health Department, Irrabeena Child Health services and Princess Margaret Hospital. A mother of four and grandmother of seven, Dr McDonald brings valuable professional and personal knowledge to the council.

Mrs Rae Walter, Executive Director Ngala Family Resource Centre. Past Churchill Fellow and past chair of the Children's Advisory Council. Mrs Walter's experience of her own four children plus the service provided to 10,000 families a year by Ngala ensure an extensive knowledge of issues relating to families and children. Her expertise has been well recognised and she continues to represent the interests of children and families on a number of community committees.

Ms Pippa Warburton, Director Playgroup Association of WA, member Early Childhood Education Council and Australian Early Childhood Association. Ms Warburton has considerable experience in early childhood education and is particularly interested in the development of programs for four-year-old children.

Mrs Jo Vitale, Manager YMCA, Youth and Family Support Programs which includes parenting courses, individual and family counselling and emergency youth accommodation. Focussing on the development and enhancement of family life, she has represented the issues and concerns of young people and their families on a number of committees. As parent of three children, the need for policies and practices which enable families and the individuals within them to develop and maintain well being is of particular relevance.

Mrs Edwardes said she was pleased the membership represented such a broad range of interests and experience and was confident that the council would be a major source of input into the State Government's policy and planning processes. The appointments were for a two-year period.

The council would meet in the metropolitan area, but special arrangements would be developed for consultation with people in country regions.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777