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Parenting Home and Away Launch - November 2002 |
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Parenting Home and Away - Launch
Minster Anthony, Minister Vale, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be here, as the National President of the Australian Early Childhood Association, at the launch of this exciting new publication Parenting Home and Away.
AECA is a national, non-government, non-profit advocacy organisation for young children. It has been working for children and those who work with and care for them for over sixty years.
One of the ways in which AECA pursues its mandate for children is through the publication of books such as the one that is being launched today.
Parenting Home and Away is wonderful example of the contribution AECA makes to Australian children and their families.
The collaboration between AECA and the Defence Community Organisation has now resulted in the publication of two much needed resources for families and others responsible for the care and education of young children.
This coming together of these two organisations with a commitment to children and their families is an excellent example of the social coalition that is increasingly sought in this country.
Over 13000 copies of the first book Home is where the family is have been distributed to Defence Force families and others who work with or care for young children.
The need for the second book was identified by the author Pam Linke as she was talking with families when researching for Home is where the family is.
Families wanted to tell Pam that managing when one or other parent was absent for extended periods put all sorts stresses on their children and themselves.
They were asking for support to manage what was an integral part of their lives in ways that were sensitive and constructive for the children and themselves.
Parenting is at one and the same time the most demanding and significant role that people will take on in their lifetimes.
The traditional supports for families with young children are no longer necessarily nearby. This is particularly the case for Defence Force families.
Too often people say raising children needs only commonsense and this makes asking for help difficult. However we know now that parenting well is essential to good outcomes for children and indeed the society as a whole.
What I particularly like about Parenting Home and Away is that it acknowledges the pressure and realities of parental separation for all family members -
- the child,
- the parent who is absent and
- the parent who remains at home.
It is full of practical suggestions to help families to do this.
This book will not only support Defence Force families. Many, many families have to manage the short and long term separations occasioned by such things as illness, working interstate or overseas and seperation and divorce.
AECA is indebted to Pam Linke the author of this book. Pam is much more that the author of these two books. She is a dedicated advocate for young children. She is volunteer for children and their well being. She does this as:
- A member of AECA,
- a member of the national executive of this organisation
- the chair of AECA's publications standing committee
- the author of many AECA publications
- and is a commited advocate for children's rights.
Thank you Pam Linke- AECA could not function without the dedication and commitment to children of people like yourself.
I should acknowledge here too the contribution made by Pam Linke's employers Child and Youth Health in South Australia in supporting her to undertake the work on this book.
Finally I would like to celebrate the success of the collaboration with Defence Community Organisations. This relationship was supported by the leadership in DCO and was fostered with skill, sensitivity and determination by Joan Gilbert. Thank you Joan on behalf on AECA.
This book has much to offer. I commend it to you.
Judith Radich
16 October 2002.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 June 2007 )
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