Winners Suzanne Powell, (Preventing Alcohol Harm), Andrew Eales (Media), Barry Kentish (Designing For Safe and Healthy Environments), Judy Ryan (Child and Adoloescent Safety), Jeannine Le Vaillant (Family Violence Prevention), Rebecca Stewart (Road Safety), Sarah Lamanna (Community Strengthening). PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
A WATER safety program for anglers, a walking school bus and a program encouraging African mums to drive were all winners at yesterday's eighth annual Community Safety Awards.
Seven awards were presented at Oscar's, with other winners including the Beating the Binge: Drug Action Week and Keep Me Safe: Child Safety Cards.
Community Safety Advisory Committee deputy chairman Councillor Cheryl Bromfield said the awards recognised community members' contribution to making Ballarat safe.
"The nominations were as high as ever and selection was a difficult process," Cr Bromfield said.
"There is a lot of commitment out there to ensuring we have a safer community."
Cr Bromfield said the wide range of winning projects all helped break down barriers. She said it was also pleasing to see youths involved, with students from Phoenix College P-12 nominated for their anti-bullying program.
The awards went to the Emmaus Catholic Primary School Families - Olympic Avenue "All Stars" Walking Bus (Community Strengthening); Ballarat Fly Fishers' Club - Water Safety for Anglers (Designing for Safe and Healthy Environments); Lead On Ballarat - Driving Help for African Mums (Road Safety); Ballarat Community Health - Beating the Binge: Drug Action Week ( Preventing Alcohol Harm); Child and Family Services Early Childhood Parenting Centre - Keep Me Safe: Child Safety Cards (Child/Adolescent Safety); Jeannine Le Vaillant (Family Violence Prevention) and The Courier - Talk The Toll Down (Media).
The success of the The Courier's partnership with the TAC, state government and Victoria Police through the Talk the Toll Down campaign showed the vital role newspapers played in promoting community safety initiatives, according to The Courier editor Andrew Eales.
Mr Eales said the award was recognition of the success of the partnership in helping to promote discussion about safe driving on rural and regional roads.
"The impact the road toll has on communities such as ours is devastating," Mr Eales said. "The award is recognition of how the campaign has resonated in the community."