The hard work of Department for Child Protection staff has shone through at the 2023 Premier’s Excellence Awards, with two employees winning awards for their ongoing efforts to support children, young people and families.
Premier Peter Malinauskas, Thao Hoang, Shirley Smith, David Francis, Cathy Taylor and Fiona Ward at the Premier's Excellence Awards. Photo: Roy VanDerVegt
The hard work of Department for Child Protection staff has shone through at the 2023 Premier’s Excellence Awards, with two employees winning awards for their ongoing efforts to support children, young people and families.
Thao Hoang from DCP’s Multicultural Services Team and David Francis from the Far North Far West Team took out their categories at the event, which recognises the dedication of public sector employees.
Thao, a social worker who specialises in support for culturally and linguistically diverse families, took out the Excellence in Service Delivery – Individual category of the awards.
“One thing that I’m looking for is for the children to stay safe, secure and connected to their culture because I believe that’s the best way to raise a child – in their own family,” she said.
David, a Principal Aboriginal Consultant, won the Public Sector Values – Individual category.
He plans for children and young people to return to their Country, accompanies them during visits and helps ensure they remain connected to kin.
“It’s really important for (the children’s) spiritual connection so we need to facilitate that and create those opportunities to get their feet on the ground of where they come from and what their story is about,” he said.
“I’m certainly proud of seeing some of the young people making the right choices. It’s so rewarding to be able to see these kids interact within an environment that’s culturally safe, culturally suitable and they’re thriving.”
The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment hosted the awards ceremony, which was held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday, March 1.
Shirley Smith, from the Strategy, Partnerships and Reform directorate, was also a finalist in the Excellence in Service Delivery category for her unwavering commitment to making the Investing in their Future program a success.
A full list of the award winners is available on the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment’s website.