Perth Archdiocese ‘putting children’s needs first’ with Safeguarding competition

23 Jul 2020

By Theresia Titus

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB congratulates a winning contestant at the annual Child Protection Week Breakfast, held in the Duxton Hotel ballroom on 5 September 2019. Photo: Josh Low.

By Theresia Titus 

The Archdiocese of Perth Safeguarding Project has this week launched its 2020 Child Protection Week competition for secondary school teenagers aged 12 to 18.

Themed “Putting children’s needs first”, the annual competition invites students to to let their voices be heard by creating a two-minute media clip.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will award the overall winner of a $500 gift voucher along with the three runner-up prizes of $100 gift vouchers at the close of the 11am Child Protection Sunday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 13 September during Child Protection Week.

Mercy College’s 2019 head girl Dana London delivers a winning speech at last year’s Child Protection Week Breakfast at Duxton Hotel on 5 September. Photo: Josh Low.

Traditionally, Child Protection Week – from 6 to 12 September – is an important week for the Safeguarding Project’s calendar and for the team of 260 Safeguarding Officers within the Archdiocese.

“It is time to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of putting the needs of children first,” said Safeguarding Project Director Andrea Musulin.

Archdiocesan Safeguarding Project’s Mary Mantle (left) and Barbara Blayney (centre) chat with a Safeguarding Officer at last year’s annual Safeguarding Mass in the St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre. Photo: Ron Tan.

This has been recognised as an important aspect in improving the wellbeing of all children and this year marks the 30th year of NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect).

“It was in front of mind 30 years ago and still is today,” Mrs Musulin affirmed.

The COVID-19 pandemic disruptions have forced the Safeguarding Project to cancel its annual breakfast event for the safety of the public.

In addition to the competition, the Safeguarding Office will also launch a new storybook, written and dedicated for primary school children aged 4 to 11, on Sunday 13 September. 

Guidelines and rules:

  • Entry form and video file must be sent to competition.safeguarding@perthcatholic.org.au using WeTransfer (https://wetransfer.com/) with the file link and entry form attached;
  • Students must be aged between 12 to 18 years;
  • All clips are to be a maximun of two minutes only and in MP4 format;
  • All entries must have the parent permission section completed;
  • All entries must meet CEWA & Catholic Archdiocese of Perth Social Media Guidelines.
  •  The Child Protection Week Competition opened on Monday 20 July and closes Friday 14 August..

For more information and to download the entry form Click Here