National Families Week 2009
National Families Week 2009
The 7th National Families Week was held between 10 and 16 May 2009.
In 2009, over 125,000 people and hundreds of organisations celebrated National Families Week - Australia's annual celebration of families.
National Families Week is timed to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. This day is observed by the United Nations to mark the importance that the international community places on families as the most fundamental units of society, as well as to draw attention to the plight of families in many parts of the world.
National Families Week 2009 was held between 10-16 May 2009. The central aim of National Families Week 2009 was to encourage all Australians to think about and celebrate the many different people within families who make families united and strong and the many different types of families across society, each deserving respect and acknowledgement.
All Australians, including community organisations, schools, councils, companies and individuals were invited to participate in National Families Week this year.
During National Families Week 2009 , people were encouraged to explore ways in which they could recognise, value and support the people who make a vital difference to the wellbeing of their family. They could have a family meal and talk about each person’s contribution to the family, hold a family reunion to thank the family member who seems to keep everyone in contact or start a family project that helps others.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, sponsors National Families Week with Families Australia. Centrelink also promotes National Families Week and provides support through its national network.
Media Releases
Families Australia Media release for National Families Week 2009
Leading Australians speak up for families in National Families Week 2009, 10 May 2009
Countdown begins to National Families Week 2009 (10-16 May), 5 May 2009
Previous National Families Weeks
The 6th National Families Week was held between 11 and 17 May 2008. The theme was “Work and Family: getting the balance right”. New records were set in terms of number of participants. More than 120,000 people participated in events across Australia. Over 800 events were organised by 600 community, business, government and other service organisations.