Family Week has theme of 'Families - The Heart of our Community' (WA)

12/5/97

Family structures have become more diverse but the need for a sense of belonging remains unchanged, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker said at the launch of Family Week (WA) today.

"Western Australian families range from single parents with children through to the traditional two parent families with live-in grand-parents," Mrs Parker said.

"Many families are also organised differently because of their cultural beliefs, including Aborigines who have a rich and complex kinship system.

"It is clear that most people desire the sense of companionship, intimacy and belonging that occurs within a happy family life.

"When that is occurring, it does not matter if a family is made up of two or 20 people!"

This year's Family Week theme is Families - The Heart of our Community.

Mrs Parker said a caring and stable family remained the most important source of support for each of its members.

"As we approach the new century and face the challenges of the rapid pace of life, one thing remains constant - the importance of family," she said.

"It is important that we as individuals and as a community recognise and support families in their vital role in the community."

The Minister said that almost 90 per cent of Western Australians lived in families, nearly 53 per cent of families had dependent children and there were 480,000 children who were under the age of 18.

She said thousands of these Western Australians would take part in Family Week activities throughout this week.

She also said she was pleased that the corporate sector had also embraced Family Week. Telstra was helping to bring families together by agreeing to provide free telephone calls from Monday to Friday.

Free calls to anywhere in Australia can be made from the mobile Telstra booth at the following places: Rockingham City Shopping Centre, Tuesday May 13, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, Belmont Forum Shopping Centre, May 14, 11 am to 3 pm; Lakeside Joondalup, May 15, noon to 2 pm, Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre community marketplace, May 16, 9 am to noon.

Family Week highlights include:

·         a forum at South Fremantle High School with psychological, health, ethnic and youth experts on 'Living with teenagers - bridging the communication gap' Wednesday May 14, at 7.30 pm;

·         a free discovery night at Scitech on Thursday May 15, from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm for lone fathers and their children in recognition of the vital role of fathering Thursday May 15 at 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm;

·         a forum on 'The fathering of sons' at The Meeting Place Community Centre, 245 South Terrace, Fremantle Thursday May 15 from 7 pm;

·         a free lecture by step family expert Associate Sociology Professor Ruth Webber on living in step and blended families Thursday May 15 at 7.30 pm, Elizabeth Jolley Lecture Theatre, Curtin University;

·         launch of next round of community consultations into priority issues affecting families by the Family and Children's Advisory Council Thursday May 15 at 2.30 pm in Alexander Library Theatrette, Perth Friday May 16, via Westlink sites for non-metropolitan residents;

·         an Aboriginal family picnic and launch of child's poster at East Kalgoorlie Primary Thursday May 15 at 11.45 am;

·         the popular Family Garden Tea Party at the Armadale Family Centre; bring a plant to plant in the garden Saturday May 17 from noon; and -

·         The Big Event Family Fun Day at Neerabup Community School, Joondalup Saturday, May 17.

Media contacts: Kaye Hopkins 9481 7810

Eugenie Reid, Family and Children's Services, 9222 2834