National Families Week 2008
Work and Family - Getting the Balance Right
The 6th National Families Week was held between 11 and 17 May 2008.
The theme was 'Work and Family - Getting the balance right' and all Australians, particularly working parents and employers, were urged to find ways to generate ideas and take actions which would improve work-family balance for themselves and others.
The central aim of National Families Week 2008 was to encourage all Australians to recognise that effectively balancing work and family makes for stronger families, workplaces and communities because it helps us to care effectively for our entire family, including the elderly, young, ill and those with a disability, and builds workplace productivity and morale.
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 2008 new records were set in terms of number of participants. More than 120,000 people participated in events across Australia.
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, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, sponsored National Families Week 2008 with Families Australia. Centrelink also promoted National Families Week and provided support through its national network.
A selection of National Families Week 2008 events across the nation
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Bureau of Statistics held a morning tea for staff
Centrelink Communication Division had a morning tea and staff activities
Child Support Agency Canberra hosted a morning tea
Communities @ Work held a Celebration of Families
Dept of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations held EAP seminars, and posted relevant information on the Intranet for staff
Dept of FaHCSIA had a seminar, trivia night and photo competition for staff
Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet had a Celebration of National Families Week
Family Court of Australia had an afternoon tea
National Disability Services held a conference on caring
Woden Community Services held a Fathers and Families Golf Challenge
YMCA Canberra had an introduction to Playschool at Kambah Cottage
New South Wales
Armidale Family Support Services & New England FIGG held a workshop for workers and caregivers
Ballina & Bryon Bay Family Day Care had a Belly to Big School Expo
Benevolent Society had Wheely Good Fun
Bingara Health Service hosted a parents’ morning tea
BUD's Toy Library Bellington Shire held a Healthy Families Expo
Catholic Care Newcastle hosted a course on Surviving Adolescence
Centacare Broken Bay had an Interagency BBQ with local service providers
Centrelink Indigenous Services had morning tea at Noogaleek Preschool
Connected Parenting launched their Parenting Service
Gwydir Shire Family Services hosted a Favourite Family Moment Photo Competition
The Smith Family held a meeting for first time Mums and Dads
Northern Territory
Alice Springs Family Day Care had a morning tea
Centacare NT Stories celebrating Men in our Families
Centrelink Nhulunbuy had an office display
Family Relationship Centre Darwin had a stall at the Rural Show
Relationships Australia Alice Springs Celebrated Families & Fathers
Queensland
Australian Tax Office Toowoomba held a promotional display in their office
Brisbane Youth Service had a youth parents group
Centrelink Nundah-Zillmere went to the Multicultural Festival
Cooktown District Community Centre had a youth Disco
Early Parent Centre had a Family Fun Day
Ipswich Family Relationship Centre had a BBQ in Queens Park and a shopping centre display
Mount Ommaney Special School talked about My Family and I!
Spiritus TRACC Strengthening Families Services had a Family Teddy Bear Picnic
St Agnes OOSHC had a BBQ breakfast for children and families
Telstra Sales Centre had a Family Fun Day
Thuringowa Family Day Care held a Sausage Sizzle in the Park
Tin Can Bay State School had display in the foyer
Trinity Family Support Network had a seminar on How to Drug Proof Your Kids
South Australia
Aboriginal Family Support Services had a Family Fun Day
Centacare Port Pirie held BBQ and health promotion
Centacare Wudinna had BBQ & giveaways in the main street
Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council held a Toddler Tales story session
Dept of Veterans' Affairs had a morning tea for staff
District Council of Coober Pedy held a Family Fun Day
ETSA Utilities recognised their ETSA Utilities Family
Fleurieu Families City of Victor Harbor child care centre hosted an Art show
Hackham West Primary School promoted Mental Health First Aid
Koonibba Aboriginal Community Council Childcare had a Families Day
Whyalla Counselling Service had a Family Day at Work
Tasmania
Anglicare Tasmania Launceston/East Tamar Communities for Children presented Parent Awards
Building Blocks had a photo display & outreach sessions
Devonport City Council had family entertainment at Devonport Imaginarium
Family Relationship Centre Launceston had a Working Family Display
Glenorchy Action Interagency Network hosted a Supporting Families in Glenorchy Forum
Stepping Stones Children's Services had a morning tea and Open Day
Victoria
Australian Vietnamese Women's Welfare Association hosted a seminar on Husband & Wife Balancing Work and Family
Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre had morning tea and activities
City of Casey Family Day Care had an Occupation Day for the children
City of Greater Geelong held Safe Home: Safe Baby Expo
Drummond Street Relationship Centre promoted Happy Families = Happy Staff
Glastonbury Child and Family Services had family time at work
Goldman Sachs JBWere launched their revised parental leave policy
Ladybug Early Learning Centre had a "Special Persons" morning tea
South East Migrant Resource Centre held a Multicultural Festival for Families
Western Australia
Broome CIRCLE hosted an Early Years and Family Forum
Centrelink Carnarvon had morning tea at an Indigenous Community
City of Wanneroo hosted a Community Services Indoor Picnic with Children’s Activities
CLAN WA promoted a Strengths Week
Joodalup Early Learning Centre had an event celebrating & honouring families
Kwinana Early Years Service Work and Family had hints on getting the balance right
YMCA Perth had a staff and family BBQ
Comments from some participating organisations on the value of National Families Week 2008
“It allows our organisation the opportunity to highlight important issues that communities need to acknowledge.”
“Communities are made up of families and we want to celebrate families and their contribution.”
“A huge opportunity for Defence families and the Defence community to celebrate “Family’ in every sense of the word.”
“We work in partnership with families all the time so, very valuable!”
“Promotes families – whatever shape they take and celebrate the part they play in our lives and community.”
“Our organisational motto is “Building stronger people, stronger families, stronger communities” so there is great relevance.”
“Bringing families and community together – an opportunity to share, play and work differently.”
“Gives us a chance to raise our profile in the community.”
“We value Families Week highly, it builds on our relationships and respect for our families.”
“National Families Week reinforces the priority of families in our organisation.”
“We celebrate it every year. We regard it as a high value event and a high value message.”
“Great! It encourages us to STOP and focus on family involvement and including them in our lives.”
“Extremely important in developing relationships and providing an opportunity to interact with different clients of our scheme.”
“Provides an opportunity to promote local child and family services to the community.”
“It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and embrace the value and importance of our families.”
“An opportunity to raise the value of families in a multicultural context.”
“Great team building event and also an opportunity to advertise the services of our organisation.”