Morcombes awarded for child safety work
THE Daniel Morcombe Foundation has picked up another gong for its dedication to child safety.
Denise Morcombe was in Brisbane on Friday to accept a certificate of merit in the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards for working with the Queensland Police Service on a DVD resource for children.
The Foundation Red Child Safety Initiative - developed after her son Daniel went missing while waiting for a bus on the Nambour Connection Road in 2003 - is a free DVD designed to educate and empower children, parents and families about personal and online safety.
More than 25,000 DVDS have been distributed through direct visits to school and community groups, at major events and through online partners.
Police, child safety organisations and national identities such as the Irwin family and Jessica Watson made contributions.
"It has enabled individuals to become more aware of at risk circumstances and has enabled children and youth to become empowered," the citation read.
"They learn how to take action if required in the form of prevention, risk aversion and/or the safe removal of themselves from a potentially dangerous situation.
"Adults are now increasingly aware of the situations where children and youth may be at risk, able to identify warning signals and know what subsequent actions can be taken to rectify or remedy a situation."
Another regional program - the Queensland Early Intervention Pilot Project -received a national police certificate for its work in drug and alcohol harm reduction.
This project - which originally began operating out of the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton police districts - concentrates on young people under 18 at risk from alcohol-related harm.
It has expanded to include Cherbourg, Toowoomba, Logan, Cairns, Emerald and Brisbane City.
"It brings a renewed understanding to young people and their parents/guardians of their need to take personal responsibility for their behaviour with respect to the consumption of alcohol," the citation read.
"The Cherbourg Junior Police Rangers project is one example that the project is achieving its aim."
The Walloon State School's Pathways to Peace program at Ipswich also got a merit certificate for a program originally established through the state's gaming fund benefit but now self-sustaining.
"Walloon State School Pathways to Peace has increased the capacity of the children in the school to be more responsible, both individually and collectively," the citation read.
"Violence and anti-social behaviour in the school have been reduced.
"Relationships and partnerships have been forged between the school and the local community.
"The program is embedded in the philosophy of the school and has been instrumental in changing the climate and the culture of the school."
