2009 Every Child Counts Award recipient announced

Left to right: Paula Bennett, award winner Therese Luxton, Mangere MP Su’a William Sio.

At a special ceremony in Parliament last month, minister for social development Paula Bennett presented the 2009 Every Child Counts Award for an individual to Therese Luxton, a truancy officer employed by the Otara Boards’ Forum.

“It is clear from the nominations we received in support of Therese that she is a highly valued member of her community, greatly committed to the children she works with in at-risk communities,” said Every Child Counts chairperson, Murray Edridge.

In support of her nomination for the award, CEO of the Otara Boards’ Forum, Bill Takerei, said Therese would regularly go “beyond the scope of her current duties in order to get positive changes to the many children and families she deals with. She is doing that not just at a one on one level but also with all key organisations involved whilst also actively seeking to influence policy about truancy work at a political level both at a local council and national level.”

The Every Child Counts awards acknowledge the work of organisations and individuals working to improve the status and well-being of NZ children.

“In the nominations we received in support of Therese she was also heralded as a great communicator, in spite of being deaf. She lip reads and ensures that she achieves effective communication with the families she works with so that positive outcomes for children are achieved.

“We are honoured to have had the minister for social development present this award to Therese. It is important that the work done in communities in support of children and their families is acknowledged. We hope that this will encourage others to continue their great work in the interests of children and support us to build a stronger, more secure nation,” concluded Mr Edridge.