Borough joins forces with Bravehearts

THE Borough of Queenscliffe is joining forces with Bravehearts this week to help raise awareness of the importance of child protection.

Bravehearts’ White Balloon Day is Australia’sonly national awareness and fundraising campaign dedicated to preventing child sexual assault.

The day generates awareness to help educate children, parents and adults of the need to do more to protect kids from a crime that affects more than 60,000 children in all corners of Australia, every year.

White Balloon Day is tomorrow (Friday) and National Child Protection Week runs from September 2-7.

“Council is pleased to support Bravehearts by promoting White Balloon Day and National Child Protection Week to increase awareness of the importance of child protection,” Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Susan Salter said.

“To preserve our beautiful coastal environment, we ask that people avoid using balloons at all public events, and we are very pleased to note that White Balloon Day is a balloon-smart organisation that shares Council’s commitment to the protection of our wildlife and our environment.”

Cr Salter said the White Balloon Day website – whiteballoonday.com.au – had a list of suggested activities to acknowledge White Balloon Day without using any actual balloons.

Bravehearts founder and executive xhair Hetty Johnston said child protection was everybody’s business, with local governments among the most important stakeholders in child protection.

“Every Australian child has the right to feel safe and we’re indebted to the Borough of Queenscliffe Council for taking what is a significant step toward making their region a safer community for all children.

Bravehearts’ White Balloon Day campaign, funded by the Department of Social Services – National Initiatives, is Australia’s longest running annual national awareness campaign for the prevention of child sexual assault.

Bravehearts offers specialised support, education and training services for children, families, schools, childcare centres and organisations.

For more information, phone the toll-free Support Line on 1800 272 831 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 4.30pm or head to bravehearts.org.au.