A rising star making a splash in the pool, a hospital program supporting babies in care and police officers going above and beyond were celebrated at the 2025 South Australian Child Protection & Family Support Awards today (Friday 5 September).
Hundreds gathered at the Adelaide Convention Centre to recognise the outstanding contributions of children and young people, carers, volunteers, staff and organisations from across the child protection and family support sector.
Established in 2021, the Awards are delivered by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
Winners included young person Tyrell, who at just 14 is a national swimming champion.
Raised in kinship care with his maternal grandparents, Tyrell has overcome adversity to achieve his swimming dreams – and was named the winner of the Outstanding Achievement of a Child or Young Person who has had a Care Experience.
The 2025 SA Child Protection & Family Support Awards winners are:
Community Service Award: Power Community Ltd – Port Adelaide Football Club
Active Efforts Award: Ngartuitya Family Group Conferencing, Relationships Australia SA
The Voice of children and young people in care: Mount Barker Young People’s Council, Department for Child Protection
Outstanding Service Award – Regional Impact: SAPOL Far North Family Violence Port Augusta and Judith Pearce, Department for Child Protection (joint winners)
Outstanding Service Award – Health, Wellbeing and Development: Cocoon Program, Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation
Outstanding Service Award – Sector Development: Foster Care program – Reunification Model, Centacare Catholic Community Services
Outstanding Service Award – Positive Impact: Keeping Families Healthy & Together, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
Volunteer of the Year: Jan Ramsdale
Outstanding achievement of a Child or Young person who has had a Care Experience: Tia-Louise Rigney and Tyrell (joint winners)
South Australian Kinship Carer of the Year: Paula Rankine
South Australian Foster Carer of the Year: Judy & Tony McKenzie
Minister for Child Protection Lifetime Achievement Award: Joyce Clark
The 2025 Awards gold sponsor is Uniting Country SA, while the HenderCare Foundation and SYC are the event silver sponsors.
To find out more about the awards, visit www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards
Quotes attributable to Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard
It is moving and uplifting to celebrate and recognise such a diverse group of people, all brought together by compassion and a shared vision to create brighter futures for children and families across South Australia.
Impactful and lasting change happens when we work together – children, families, communities, agencies, and government – to shape a future where every child feels loved, safe, supported, valued and empowered to thrive.
Congratulations and thank you to our finalists, winners and everyone who submitted a nomination for these Awards. Your dedication and selflessness is making a difference every day in the lives of the children, young people and their families who need us to be there for them and making our community a kinder, more connected place.
Quotes attributable to NAPCAN Chief Executive Leesa Waters
Behind every award is a workforce of dedicated practitioners, carers, and volunteers who go above and beyond to put children first.
Their courage, skill, and collaboration remind us that protecting children is never the work of one person or one agency, it’s something we build together.