Official opening of new Catherine House in Broome

17/6/97

The recognition of quality supported care for children and their families in the Kimberley was highlighted today when Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker officially opened the new Catherine House building in Broome.

"For more than 20 years, Catherine House has provided a haven for women and children needing a break from a time of crisis in their families," the Minister said.

"Although the focus of the house has changed, the guiding principles have always involved care and respect.

"It has also involved a commitment to working with people to resolve their problems, providing them with practical support and trying to restore the family unit."

Mrs Parker said Catherine House was initially established in 1975 after Sister Michael, a resident of Broome, identified a need for a safe house for women and children.

It remained a women's safe house until the 1980s when it became an incorporated community-based organisation funded by the then Department for Community Services.

A women's refuge was then established in Broome and Catherine House changed its focus to care for children who needed short-term crisis accommodation. Family and Children's Services resumed control of Catherine House in 1995.

Mrs Parker said the original Catherine House building was now being used as an administration block and was the base for the specialist team of a psychologist, educational officer and community funding officer.

The new Catherine House, which had been transported from Derby, was a building which had been renovated and was landscaped to provide comfortable accommodation and a safe environment for children.

Mrs Parker said Family and Children's Services focused on providing relevant, practical assistance to families, as well as keeping children safe.

She said that to help in this work, the department delivered programs that offered help when it was needed.

"Catherine House is one of these services," she said.

"It can accommodate up to 12 children from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

"The children are looked after in group care until they can return to their families or to another permanent care arrangement.

"Although Catherine House is meant to provide temporary, short-term accommodation, some children have stayed here for long periods. This has occurred because alternative care options were not available."

Mrs Parker called on interested families in and around Broome to consider being foster parents. She especially appealed for more prospective Aboriginal foster parents to come forward.

"There are many benefits in fostering children including the great satisfaction in knowing you can offer a good home to a child who really needs it," she said.

"Perhaps people can help out on holidays or at the weekends."

The Minister said that all parents had a responsibility to create a caring, safe and nurturing environment for their children.

"But sometimes more help is needed than can be provided by family and community networks," she said.

"This is when Family and Children's Services' involvement becomes important."

Mrs Parker said the mission of Family and Children's Services was to contribute to the care and protection of children and the promotion of responsibility and growth in family and community life.

"The Coalition Government firmly believes that families are the cornerstone of our society," she said.

"Research has shown that families are the best place to raise children, so assistance is given to families to get through the hard times and succeed.

"From time to time the department will act in the interest of the child and assume guardianship when it is no longer safe for a child to live with his or her family.

"However, these powers are used very cautiously."

Mrs Parker congratulated the commitment and hard work of everyone involved with Catherine House, especially its founder Sister Michael.

"Catherine House has a long and proud tradition of providing support to children and families," she said.

"It has done this through the involvement and co-operation of many people in the community and all of Broome needs to be recognised for its support of such a worthy facility."

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins (08) 9481 7810