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Katherine and Alice Springs Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Award Winners Announced

Territory Families

The Katherine andAlice Springs region winners of the Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards havebeen announced.

The Foster andKinship Carer Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication,commitment and achievements of foster and kinship carers, staff and youngpeople that have experienced out-of-home care and the enormous contributionthey make to the lives of vulnerable children in every community across theNorthern Territory.

This yearstheme focuses on the Rock Star efforts made by fosters carers, kinshipcarers, social workers and cases mangers to support children and young peoplein need.

TerritoryFamilies Chief Executive Officer Ken Davies said the awards provided theopportunity to celebrate the achievements of our valuable carers and thecommunity of people who support children in out-of-home care, as well as havingan event for the young people, which is fun, engaging, inspiring andmotivational.

Theseawards are for the children thriving in the care of a loving family, thesiblings who go the extra mile to make them feel welcome in their home and thesupport staff who believe that going above and beyond is a part of their job,he said.

This year we received more than 100 nominations fromacross the Territory highlighting the important role of foster and kinshipcarers, staff and young people to support children in care to feel safe, secureand supported.

TheAward winners in Katherine are:

Outstanding Contribution by a FosterCarer Sara Potterand Alan Howard

Outstanding Contribution by a KinshipCarer Aileen Daly

Outstanding Commitment by a TerritoryFamilies Staff Member Alexandra Williams

Outstanding Contribution by a Sibling- Namewithheld for privacy

Young Person Achievement Award – Name withheldfor privacy.

The Awardwinners in Alice Springs are:

Outstanding Contribution by a FosterCarer – MarieannaHammond, Melissa Durston, Jenny and Adam Holme, Ian and Sue Shepherd

Outstanding Contribution by a KinshipCarer – Roslyn Campbell, Rachel Nambula, Chriselda Ross,Barbara Wilson and Walter Lechleitner, April Campbell and Peter Garawirrtja

Outstanding Commitment by a TerritoryFamilies Staff Member – Peris Njenga.

I would liketo congratulate all the winners for their outstanding achievement and thankthem for their dedication and commitment to support children and young peoplein care and for the work they do in strengthening our communities, Mr Daviessaid.

Regional events are being held in Nhulunbuy on 21September, Tennant Creek and Darwin on 24 September and Katherine and AliceSprings on 25 September and Wadeye on 1 October 2019.

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