KINSHIP Connections WA founder Ann Oakley has been named as the City of Belmont’s 2016 Naidoc community award winner.
The organisation has been part of the City of Belmont for the past four years working with a number of Aboriginal foster carers in the area.
Belmont Mayor Phil Marks presented the award as part of the City’s Naidoc Week flag raising ceremony recently.
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READ NOW“Maintaining Aboriginal children’s connections to family is important in the ongoing social and emotional wellbeing of a child’s life,” he said.
“Through Ann’s knowledge of the Child Protection system she is able to ensure Aboriginal children have their cultural needs fulfilled.
“She has been a foster mother to more than 40 children while being a mother to four of her own children.”
Other events held during Naidoc Week included an artist in residence program at the Ruth Faulkner Public Library by Aboriginal artist Jade Dolman, as well as events at The Base@Belmont and Belmont City College.
After the success of last year, the city plans to again incorporate Naidoc celebrations into its annual Let’s Celebrate Belmont Festival Finale on Saturday, November 26.