Information on National Families Week 2008 available here

National Families Week 2007

FITT Families – “Families Investing in Time Together”

The 5th National Families Week was held between 13 and 19 May 2007.

The theme was “FITT Families – Families Investing in Time Together’.

National Families Week 2007 (13-19 May) set a record in terms of participation across Australia. Over 110,000 people participated in 1,000 events which were run by 750 organisations and their subsidiaries. Twenty-four high profile National Families Week Ambassadors, including Senior Australian of the Year, Phil Herreen, Young Australian of the Year, Tania Major, leading Australian businesswoman, Wendy McCarthy AO, and youth advocate Barbara Holborrow OAM, promoted the theme of ‘FITT Families ­ Families Investing in Time Together’.

The central aim of National Families Week 2007 was to encourage all Australians to take time to do things together that would improve the all-round physical and emotional wellbeing of their family unit. The slogan was: “FITT Families - Families Investing in Time Together”.

The emphasis of National Families Week 2007 on making an investment of family time is about prompting individuals to remember that they are part of families and that the family unit itself, as well its members, need special tending if it is to be strong. 

Each year, tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organisations celebrate National Families Week - Australia’s annual celebration of the vital role of families.  In 2006, over 105,000 people participated in National Families Week events around Australia, illustrating the widespread importance of families within the community.

Each National Families Week you’re encouraged to invest some time to celebrate the vital role of your family and to do things that will improve the all-round physical and emotional wellbeing of your family unit.  Take the time to go for a family picnic, have that game of backyard cricket you planned all summer, catch up with friends/relatives for a walk in a local beauty spot, spend some time talking and listening to all members of your family.

The Australian Government, through the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, sponsored National Families Week 2007 with Families Australia. Centrelink also promoted National Families Week and provided support through its national network.

A selection of National Families Week 2007 events across the nation

ACT

  • Defence Community Organisation had lunch with entertainment for defence personnel and families
  • Dept of Employment & Workplace Relations held a morning tea for staff
  • Canberra Mothercraft Society had a family BBQ
  • Parentline ran the PET for Professionals course
  • Department of Communication, IT & the Arts had morning tea and awareness raising for staff
  • Communities @ Work held a Celebration walk
  • Grandparents ACT & Region went for lunch and movie
  • FaBRIC announced a Scholarship and held their corporate launch

NSW

  • Department of Communities Services celebrated throughout NSW in 13 playgroups
  • Centrelink Auburn held a morning tea with staff and the Migrant Resource Centre
  • Witonga Crescent Child Care Centre had a Grandparents Day
  • Centrelink Bourke had an information session and morning tea with local agencies & businesses
  • Child & Family Health Service Broken Hill displayed Art in the Park and hosted a Womens’ Netball competition
  • The Smith Family Broken Hill held a first time Mum's group
  • Uniting Care Burnside Cabramatta had a community open day
  • Camden Council held it’s annual Family Fun Day
  • ABC Hanwood had a week long display and discussion on family wellbeing
  • Hornsby-Waitara Community Hub had a family Walkabout, a workshop, forum and a supported playgroup
  • Petersham Tongan Uniting Church hosted a BBQ and seminar
  • Holroyd City Council had guest speakers at morning teas
  • Hunter New England Mental Health Service Narrabri held education sessions for rural health workers
  • The Deaf Society of NSW held a Deafinitely Family Fun Day
  • AGL around Australia held their annual AGL Family Day
  • Tamworth Family Support Service participated in the Lifefest Day in the Park
  • Centrelink Wagga Wagga hosted a BBQ for customers & the Indigenous community

Northern Territory

  • Alice Springs Family Day Care held an event for children and carers
  • North Australian Eisteddford Council held the North Australian Eisteddford in Darwin
  • NT Legal Aid Commission hosted a Families and Law Workshop
  • Katherine Early Years Centre had a family picnic in the park

Queensland

  • The Office of the Employment Advocate had a breakfast seminar in Brisbane
  • Bundaberg Child & Family Centre put up a community display
  • Department of Main Roads Cloncurry brought their families to work for the day
  • Cooktown District Community Centre had community time together
  • Bayside Family Day Care held a National Photo Competition
  • Youth Space held a youth forum in Proserpine
  • Stanthorpe Family Day Care had a play session for under 25 parents & carers
  • Arkai Child Care Centre in Torres Strait held a community event

South Australia

  • Department of Veterans' Affairs Adelaide had a family friendly day at work
  • Family Day Care South Australia supported 900 carers in celebrating National Families Week
  • Victim Support Service in Berri had a sausage sizzle & community awareness event
  • Cowandilla Children's Centre hosted a Grandparents & Elders Day
  • Para West Adult Campus had an Open Week - Family Learning
  • Centrelink Mt Gambia provided information packs for new Mums
  • Drug & Alcohol Services SA provided sample bags to clients
  • Aboriginal Family Support Services held the Port Augusta Family Festival
  • Lutheran Community Care Tanunda ran the Small Steps for Families program
  • Centacare Catholic Family Services Whyalla held the FITT Families Fair

Tasmania

  • Lady Gowrie Battery Point put up a display & information
  • Glenorchy Action Interagency Network had an information day & sausage sizzle
  • Centrelink Hobart held seminars and foyer displays
  • Anglicare Tasmania held the Communities for Children Conference
  • St Mary's Community Health Centre had presentations at playgroups
  • Good Beginnings Early Years Centre hosted a Mini Expo

Victoria

  • YMCA Anglesea had a Family Fun Day with giant swing, high ropes, skateboarding, environmental craft & games
  • YMCA  Ashburton hosted Healthy Family Brunch and Demo Family Class
  • Australian Greek Welfare Society in Brunswick conducted a course on Difficult Family Relationships
  • Centrelink Epping coordinated a foyer display with local organisations
  • YMCA Essendon had a Family Play Group Session including morning tea & activities for the children
  • Wimmera Uniting Care in Horsham jointly hosted a seminar with Centrelink
  • YMCA Kilsyth held activities for young parents group
  • Child Support Agency Melbourne provided show bags to clients
  • City of Kingston held a Parent Education Seminar
  • City of Greater Geelong Family Services, had  Mini Pram Stroll & safety expo
  • Ringwood Family Relationship Centre held information session for local service providers

Western Australia

  • City of Melville & Willagee had 5 Playgroup & Parenting sessions
  • Bayswater Family Centre held a seminar on Additives & a Family Fun Day
  • Midwest Parenting Service in Geraldton had an information day
  • Joondalup Family Relationship Centre had a shopping centre display
  • ABC Merriwa West had a Parent's information night
  • Centrelink Mirrabooka hosted a morning tea for Sudanese refugees

Comments from some participating organisations on the value of National Families Week 2007 

“Promotes the service and collaboration with other service providers.”

“The pads were great to hand out and talk about in the education group.”

“To promote and strengthen the family unity.  To educate our clients on family dynamics.”

“Great opportunities to showcase, pilot and develop more family-focussed programs.”

“High value, we serve families and are part of families”

“Time to focus on the value of families for our staff and our customers.”

“Excellent to celebrate how our organisation can support families through various life events.”

“Our organisation provides a variety of programs/groups for family members and families.  National Families Week provides an opportunity for families to come together and celebrate in unity.”

“Excellent opportunity to promote flexibility in our work practices.”

“Extension of support and promotion of services.”

“Promotes the family unit in a positive way.”

“National Families Week provides an avenue for the Council to provide a free family fun day.  This is a great opportunity to bring the community together and enhance social cohesion.”

“Promoting the importance of family is really important as our main focus is on families and keeping them together and supporting their needs.”

“It was wonderful to hold a morning tea and for the children to celebrate this occasion with their family.”

“Awareness and reminder to connect with your family.”

“It provided an opportunity for us to create a family event and celebrate the families of our area.”

“Tying the notion of ‘family’ into all our programs.  Family participation is central to our philosophy.”

“We always value family at our service but National Families Week gave our event a more national/community feel.”