Principal Commissioner's Award for Community Engagement
The Principal Commissioner’s Award for Community Engagement will honour an individual for their achievements and effort in engaging members of the community, businesses and/or organisations in child rights-related activities and initiatives.
Finalists:
Majella Ritchie: Majella has been a passionate advocate for the cultural rights of young people in detention, particularly First Nations children in the justice system. Leading multiple cultural initiatives, she has ensured that First Nations children have access to cultural support during their incarceration. Majella has collaborated with over 12 different organisations, ensuring that children’s cultural rights are met and contributing to their successful rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities.
Areta Farrance: Areta runs free nature play programs in Logan, engaging over 700 families through Bush Kindy activities. Her work transforms outdoor spaces into inclusive environments where children of all abilities can explore, play, and learn. By promoting children’s right to play, Areta strengthens community ties and ensures nature-based learning is accessible to all.
Alexis and Tyler Kalofonos: Alexis, who has cerebral palsy, and her brother Tyler, created a school friendship club and a pen pal group to help children connect and form friendships. Alexis educates others about disabilities, while Tyler advocates for inclusion in sports. Together, they’ve inspired their school to embrace disability inclusion, organized a toy drive, and are co-authoring a book to raise awareness about disabilities.
Creative Outpost Children's Rights Education Award
The Children’s Rights Education Award will recognise an individual or organisation with a demonstrated commitment and contribution to educating children and the community about children’s rights, as per the UNCRC.
Finalists:
Aunty Sharron Mirii Bell: A proud Wiradjuri Gamilaraay woman and founder of Indigenous Insights. Since 2005, Sharron has been a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and cultural education, using workshops and concerts, to empower children with pride in their heritage and self-expression. She has also featured on Play School’s Showtime series and developed the child rights song ‘I Am me’.
The CREATE Foundation: which represents young people in out-of-home care. Their Speak Up program in Queensland educates participants aged 14-25 about their rights and gives them the confidence to advocate for change. CREATE has reached youth in various settings, from parks to foster homes, creating lasting impact, empowering young people to shape their futures and advocate for their needs.
Jenae Tien: founder of Expand Your Library. Jenae curates diverse books and resources to spark conversations about inclusion and diversity. Her work, including as a cultural consultant for Play School, helps children feel seen and valued. Her latest project, Allies and Friends, is an inclusive resource for ABC Kids Education focused on cultural diversity and allyship, launching in March 2025.
PeakCare Young Change Maker Award
The Young Change Maker Award will honour a young person or group of young people for their outstanding contribution and commitment to enhancing Queensland children’s rights and wellbeing through community education, awareness raising and/or advocacy.
Finalists:
Caroline Fletcher: Caroline, drawing from her lived experience in out-of-home care, has been a strong advocate for children’s rights. She has worked on the Home Stretch campaign and collaborated with QNQDA and the Queensland Mental Health Commission. Recently, she delivered a powerful speech at the QFFC Youth Summit, inspiring others with her message. Caroline embodies the change she wants to see in the child protection system, ensuring that the voices of children are heard.
Teneal Monssen: Teneal known as Nelly is a young consultant with the CREATE Foundation. Nelly has been advocating for the rights of young people in out-of-home care, focusing on health, wellbeing, and participation in decision-making. Her leadership has been evident in projects like the Queensland Residential Care Review and the Mercy Younger People Advisory Group.
Joomunjie Warriors: The Joomunjie Warriors are a group of student leaders from Eagleby South State School who created Joomunjie Land, a Loose Parts Adventure Playground that serves over 400 children. Their project, led by student leaders is supported by local organisations and won a National Playground Design Award in 2024 for fostering inclusion and belonging. Through their advocacy and ownership of the space, these young leaders have built an inclusive environment where children’s voices are heard and respected.
Children's Rights Champion of the Year
The Children’s Rights Champion of the Year award will recognise the inspirational achievement and effort undertaken by an individual, group or organisation in a way that aligns with the theme of Children’s Week. In 2024 the theme of Children’s Week is based on Article 24 of the UNCRC – Children have the right to healthy food, clean water, a safe environment and the best health care possible.
Finalists:
Anna Sorokina: Anna is an 11-year-old who has championed environmental sustainability at her school, delivering sessions on rubbish separation and reducing waste. Inspired by a visit to an environment center, she engages young Queenslanders through activities like trash sorting relay races and sustainability scavenger hunts, fostering environmental responsibility.
Care Kits for Kids Queensland: A volunteer-driven initiative that has provided over 11,700 care kits to vulnerable children since 2018. These kits, filled with essentials like clothing and toiletries, as well as toys bring comfort to children in crisis including those facing domestic violence or homelessness. With over 100 volunteers and operating solely on donations and grants, the group expects to support 4,000 children in 2024.
Madison Pease: An educator at C&K Moranbah Kindergarten, Madison empowered her students to advocate for a safer playground during local construction, with the children presenting their ideas to the Isaac Regional Council, including the Mayor. Madison elevated the children’s voices, and the project not only improved the play space but also taught them the importance of civic engagement and environmental responsibility.
FAQs
You are able to nominate yourself or your organisation. Note that certain categories are only for individuals.
Children’s Rights Queensland will appoint a judging panel to assess nominations and select award winners.
The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your nomination will assist the judging panel.
If your application is successful, you will be contacted when the finalists are announced.
Prizes will be given to award winners along with a trophy.
Finalists will be contacted in early September. If you nominate a finalist you will be contacted.
The Children’s Week National Theme for 2025 is based on UNCRC Article 42: Everyone should know about children’s rights!
The Children’s Week Awards will be announced on Tuesday, 21 October 2025 at Victoria Park Function Centre in Brisbane. Finalists will be invited to attend the event which will be attended by representatives from Government, non-profit organisations, families and children.
Nominations will close on 30 June 2025 at 11:59pm.
Click here to view the Award Terms and Conditions.
