National Families Week 2006: Highlights

The 4th National Families Week was held between 14 and 20 May 2006. The aim of National Families Week is to highlight, through community activities and media coverage of family issues, the critical role that families play in ensuring that individuals reach their potential and communities are strong.

More than 105,000 people participated in events across Australia, a 25% increase compared with 2005. 550 events organised by 389 community, government and other service organisations were held (representing increases compared with the previous year of 22% and 25%, respectively), the overwhelming majority of which were held at a grassroots level in local communities.

As in past years, Families Australia ran the Week on behalf of the Australian Government. Families Australia is Australia's peak not-for-profit organisation representing the needs and interest of families.

The special themes in 2006 were parenting and young people aged between 12 and 18 years. The main slogan was 'take time for TLC – talking, listening and connecting'. The Hon. Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, launched the Week at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum on 17 May 2006 in conjunction with the launch of the Australian Parenting Website.

National Families Week 2006 set new records in terms of number of participants, initiatives to highlight the importance of families, and media coverage. More than 105,000 people participated in events across Australia, a 25% increase compared with 2005. 550 events organised by 389 community, government and other service organisations were held (representing increases compared with the previous year of 22% and 25%, respectively), the overwhelming majority of which were held at a grassroots level in local communities.

Thank you to all participants and participating organisations for making National Families Week 2006 such a success!

Two special initiatives were the appointment of ‘National Families Week Ambassadors' and the National Families Week 'Showcase'. Ambassadors included Aboriginal entertainer Jimmy Little, scientist Sir Gus Nossal, children's advocate Barbara Holborrow, TV celebrity David Koch and several members of the Australian Government's Youth Roundtable.

As part of the 'Showcase' initiative, the Australian Institute of Family Studies released a publication 'Snapshots of Australian Families with Adolescents'.

National Families Week 2006 set a record in terms of media coverage. For the first time, the Week was covered on national television. Print and radio media coverage was also extensive in rural and urban areas. Families Australia staff gave numerous radio interviews which highlighted family policy issues, for example, FM101.5 Caboolture, Radio Goolabi Broome, National News Radio, on ABC radio Murray/Goulburn, ABC radio Albury, 2SM Sydney (Leon Delaney Show), Mix 102.3 Brisbane, Nova and Vega radio news Sydney, Nova and Vega radio news Brisbane, ABC radio Gold Coast, 4BC Brisbane, and Mix 106.3 Canberra.

Families Australia staff also featured in a segment on family issues on the national Channel Ten 'David and Kim' morning program and highlighted family wellbeing issues on Canberra WIN television. Print media articles with family policy content were featured in a wide range of newspapers, including in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sun Herald, National Indigenous Times, and The Canberra Times.

Feedback from participating organisations showed a very high degree of satisfaction with arrangements for the Week, including in relation to the look and practicality of promotional materials and Families Australia's support.

Participating organisations undertook a wide range of National Families Week activities designed to celebrate the importance of families. These included: morning teas, barbeques, sausage sizzles, playgroup visits, family picnics, artwork displays, family information days, drawing competitions, dances, art displays, photo competitions, seminars and workshops, breakfast gatherings, story-telling events, services displays, and movie nights. Below is a selection of events across every State and Territory.

NSW

  • The Australian Parenting Website (www.raisingchildren.net.au) was launched at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Mal Brough MP (17 May 2006)
  • Bankstown City YMCA held a family morning tea
  • Centrelink Hurstville ran an artwork and photography competition
  • Holroyd City Council hosted parenting education sessions
  • The NAPCAN Foundation launched its Child Friendly Campaign
  • Shellharbour City Council held a community barbeque
  • Relationships Australia, Wollongong, ran sessions on 'surviving adolescence'
  • The Discovery House, Castle Hill, celebrated families at playgroup

Queensland

  • Central Queensland TAFE, Mackay, held a NFW Forum
  • Family Care Services, Maryborough, hosted an open day for families
  • Lady Gowrie Caboolture Family Day Care, Morayfield, held a workshop on 'why my family is special'
  • Mossman State High School, Mossman, ran a photo and prose competition
  • The Department of Main Roads, Cloncurry, held a 'bring your family to work' open day

NT

  • Anglicare Youth Services, Ludmilla, hosted the Pandanus project reunion
  • Alice Springs Family Day Care ran a conference on Family Day Care
  • Sommerville Community Services, Casuarina, held a movie day

ACT

  • ParentLine ran a theatre piece about family communication at the Canberra Multicultural Centre on 'What was That You Said?'
  • Belconnen Community Services hosted a ‘Mini Fun day'
  • Communities@work held a 'Family Expo' at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome

Victoria

  • Anglicare Victoria at Frankston ran a 'families are special drawing competition'
  • Centrelink Hamilton sizzled sausages
  • The Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, launched its 'Snapshots of Australian Families with Adolescents'
  • The City of Kingston held a positive parenting seminar
  • MacKillop Family Services in South Melbourne ran a seminar on work and family balance with Dr Carr-Gregg
  • YMCA Berwick launched its Mums and Bubs fitness classes
  • YMCA Ballarat ran a family swim day

WA

  • Banksia Grove Community Centre, Wanneroo held a 'camels, kites and kids' day
  • The City of Mandurah Library hosted family story time
  • Treasure Island Child Care Centre, Cannington, held a morning tea
  • YMCA Newman ran a picnic in the park
  • The Department of Community Development Geraldton hosted a parenting expo

Tasmania

  • Good Beginnings – Anglicare Launceston ran a family fun day
  • St Helen's District Hospital, St Helens, held pet training classes
  • Milpara Early learning Centre, Burnie, put on a family breakfast
  • George Town City Council screened movies.

SA

  • Uniting Care Wesley Port Pirie held a Dad's 'chat and dinner'
  • Aboriginal Family Support Services Port Augusta held a community fair
  • Mission Australia Whyalla hosted a family BBQ
  • Centacare Wudinna baked pancakes at a family breakfast