11/04/2023

Department for Child Protection Far North Office Manager Victoria Cobb has been recognised at a national awards ceremony for her work with Aboriginal communities.

Victoria Cobb

Ms Cobb received an award at the National Aboriginal Child Safety and Domestic Violence Summit 2023: Strong Families, Safer Children, hosted by KWY Aboriginal Corporation.

The summit, held at the Pullman Hotel in Adelaide, featured the Flame of Change Unifying Support (FOCUS) Awards and Gala Dinner, showcasing the work of individuals and organisations in the areas of domestic and family violence, child protection and homelessness.

Ms Cobb won the award for Outstanding Achievement by an individual in the Child Protection sector.

Presenting the award, Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Cathy Taylor said the category recognised the passion, drive and commitment of an individual working in the sector, along with their outstanding service to improve the lives of children and young people.

Ms Cobb's work has provided important support for communities in the state’s Far North.

Among recent priorities was representing DCP in the planning, design, function and relocation of a new multi-agency centre in Umuwa – a service centre for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. It will provide space for government staff from agencies and services including SA Police, the Department for Child Protection and SA Health's Child Protection Services, to collaborate.

Ms Cobb also initiated and organised Pitjantjatjara language and cultural classes with Iwiri Aboriginal Corporation and UniSA, delivered to the Far North DCP team during 2021-2022. This has enhanced the delivery of services to families in the APY lands.

Through collaborative work with the DCP Far North staff team and other services, Victoria has advocated for children and young people to return to Country, ensuring they are supported to maintain ties with their communities and are given opportunities to connect with their culture.

KWY’s 3-day summit brought together guest speakers to stimulate new and innovative pathways to address the national issues of child safety, domestic and Aboriginal family violence across Australia.

Ms Taylor and Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard were among keynote speakers at the event.