Scarborough-based services wins Government award

27/11/00
Wanslea Family Services' Interagency Collaboration for Children of Parents with Mental Illness (ICCOPMI) tonight won the Community Services Industry Award 2000 in the Industry support and development category.
The Scarborough-based service, and winners of eight other categories, were announced at a gala presentation dinner at Rendezvous Observation City Hotel Family hosted by Children's Services Minister June van de Klashorst.
"The Interagency Collaboration for Children of Parents with Mental Illness helps children and families whose lives are affected by mental illness," Mrs van de Klashorst said.
"Through sharing expertise and resources ICCOPMI is developing practical services that help children overcome emotional and educational disruption and strengthen their capacity to cope.
"Their success in raising public and professional awareness will benefit children who face the everyday difficulties of living with a mentally ill parent by offering improved support services and helping maintain family stability."
In congratulating the nine award winners, Mrs van de Klashorst acknowledged the vital role played by the people who make up the community services industry in Western Australia.
"The Community Services Industry Awards provide an invaluable opportunity to recognise the efforts of the people, many of whom are volunteers, who are committed to making life better for us all," the Minister said.
Each year the industry provides over 3,000 services worth more than $800 million to the people of WA.
"In human terms, the benefit to individuals and families who rely on these services far exceeds any monetary value," Mrs van de Klashorst said.
"Services to young families, children, parenting support, emergency accommodation, child protection programs and many other initiatives which make up the community services industry are at the very heart of our community."
This year's winners ranged from a counselling service for child victims of domestic violence, to a family friendly workplace which provides an in-house creche for the children of staff.
The other winners of the Community Services Industry Awards 2000 are:
Category 1 Focus on innovation
South West Youth and Family Support Service:
Agencies for South West Accommodation Inc's South West Youth and Family Support Service provides mediation and practical support to young people and their families where conflict might lead to the young people leaving home. From Augusta to Harvey workers help families build skills for communication, resolve conflicts and develop contracts for family members' expectations.
Category 2 Community support and development
The Albany Children's Domestic Violence Counselling Service, Albany:
The Albany Children's Domestic Violence Counselling Service, through Anglicare WA's Albany Women's Centre, focuses on the child as the victim of domestic violence. It actively supports the Great Southern community by raising awareness and providing this critical service where no previous service existed.
Category 3 Valuing cultural diversity
Maru Maru Childcare Centre, Fitzroy Crossing:
A strong desire to retain traditional language and culture provided the foundation for the Junjuwa Community Inc's Maru Maru Childcare Centre. Centre staff are committed to keeping the Bunuba language alive by passing on knowledge to children. Maru Maru is the Bunuba word for 'children's play place'.
Category 4 Industry support and development
Interagency Collaboration for Children of Parents with Mental Illness (ICCOPMI).
Category 5 Support of remote and rural communities
The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku's Sports Development:
The program has not only raised the level of fitness in the region but has successfully delivered a health and substance abuse message to a growing population of nearly 1,600 people. Program staff deliver school clinics on health, fitness and drug and substance abuse, and coach children, men and women in a variety of sports.
Category 6 Management and Leadership
Meerilinga Young Children Foundation's Family Support Worker Training:
This program excels in the area of innovative training and development for volunteers. The training uses best management practice and leadership to deliver services to customers through volunteers. An emphasis on quality and strategic management is inbuilt in every process of the training package from planning to evaluation.
Category 7 Outstanding service by an individual
Laura Tolliday, Morley:
Laura Tolliday has spent the last 50 years working to make WA a better place for all ages, where young and older people share their experiences. Mrs Tolliday is a strong believer in people of different generations spending time together. In 1989 she began the Intergenerational Advisory Network Inc to raise public interest in intergenerational programs.
Category 8 Family friendly practices
Advanced Personnel Management's Creche, West Perth:
APM's mix of childcare and business has seen far greater rewards than just being able to retain staff after they leave to have babies. Having a creche at the office and flexible working arrangements for staff contributes greatly to staff morale and the quality of the company's services to customers.
Category 9 Business and community partnerships
Variety Special Playground, Perth Zoo:
Acting on an idea from a Body Shop staff member, the Body Shop, Variety Club of WA and Perth Zoo joined forces to create the Variety Special Playground for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy. Located in the grounds of the Perth Zoo, the playground has elements all children can enjoy including life size statues of endangered animals with their stories written underneath in braille.
Mrs van de Klashorst also thanked the sponsors of the Community Services Industry Awards 2000-Radio 882 6PR, The West Australian newspaper, Lotteries Commission, Rendezvous Observation City Hotel, WIN Television, CSC, SGIO, Nortel Networks, Ansett Australia, Australia Post, Staging Connections and Goundrey Wines.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810