This partnership between Mission Australia, Griffith University and Education Queensland aims to promote positive parenting, healthy family relationships and enhance children's experience of school.
Representatives from Griffith, including Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Mazerolle, Prof Sidney Dekker and Prof Ross Homel AO, were joined by Queensland’s Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers, and Mission Australia staff and supporters attended the 10-year anniversary event. More than 125 local children and their families also celebrated the milestone.
Prof Homel, who played an instrumental role in developing Pathways to Prevention, shared highlights from his 10-year involvement with the early intervention program, which has touched the lives of 4,200 individuals from 1,129 families from the local community so far.
The 250 guests enjoyed a Sing and Grow Music Group guitar session featuring local Aboriginal children, as well as dance presentations by local children and women from the Samoan and Vietnamese communities.
The Pathways Choir, made up of 40 Mission Australia staff and clients, also sang ‘The Pathways Song’, which was composed by former staff member Sue-Ann Swindon.
During the official ceremony, philanthropist John Barnes – Pathways to Prevention’s most significant supporter through The John Barnes Foundation – spoke of the importance of the program and his involvement over the past 10 years.
Ms Struthers also congratulated Mission Australia and Griffith University on the “positive impact they have had on Queensland families”.
Mission Australia Service Manager Cherie Lamb said the celebration was a fantastic reminder of just how far the program has come in 10 years: “It’s so heartening to see this program, which started off as a small seed of an idea many years ago, grow into something that makes a difference to so many people in this community.
“The festival atmosphere of this celebration, with the music, laughter and face-painting, says it all – Pathways really is something that locals hold very dear and love being a part of.
“With the ongoing support of our partners, Government and the local community, Pathways can only get better.”
Yesterday Mission Australia’s Executive Leader - Community Services, Lincoln Hopper, presented Ms Lamb with a certificate and flowers as a thank you for her incredible contribution to the Pathways program and the local community over the past 10 years.
Further reading:
- ‘Brisbane kids follow in big footsteps’
- Pathways to Prevention Project: The First Five Years 1999 - 2004
Above image (L to R): Prof Ross Homel, Cherie Lamb, Lincoln Hopper, Karen Struthers, Penny Gillespie and John Barnes celebrating 10 years of Pathways to Prevention.
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