Unique Three-Way Partnership In Child Protection

MEDIA RELEASE: THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

UNIQUE THREE-WAY PARTNERSHIP - THE BULLS MASTERS, MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL AND BRAVEHEARTS DELIVERS VITAL CHILD PROTECTION TO THOUSANDS OF MACKAY CHILDREN

In 2016, the Bulls Masters, Mackay Regional Council and Bravehearts partnered to initiate one of the biggest past player cricket events Australia has seen to generate funds to implement Bravehearts’ specialised child protection education program, Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show in the Mackay region. 

This unique, three-way partnership led to Mackay’s T20 All Stars Gala Dinner in 2016, and brought together some of the greatest players of all time to provide two spectacles involving past and present cricket legends in 2016 and 2017 in two T20 matches between the Bulls Masters and the Baggy Blues.

“This partnership was an extraordinary Australian first with the outcome enabling Bravehearts to provide thousands of young children in Mackay with vital personal protection education through our Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show.

“Today is cause for celebration. At the conclusion of Bravehearts’ current Mackay tour we’ll have delivered the Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show to 4290 children in schools and childcare centres, and provided 72 Ditto In A Box resources for educators to reinforce the protective behaviour strategies presented in the face-to-face child protection education program.

Aussie cricket legend and Managing Director of the Bulls Masters, Jimmy Maher said, “The 2016 Gala Dinner and both T20 matches in 2016 and 2017 were all outstanding successes that enabled Bravehearts to achieve these valuable community outcomes.

“The Mackay Regional Council has played an integral role in supporting the Bulls Masters events to ensure the funds raised would provide Bravehearts’ essential child protection program to the children in their community.

“Overall, this extraordinary three-way partnership has delivered a win for Queensland, but most of all, it’s delivered a huge win for the children and families of the Mackay region,” Jimmy Maher said.

Mackay Deputy Mayor Amanda Camm said it had been fantastic having Bravehearts in Mackay again this week delivering child safety programs to local children.

“Bravehearts is a proactive organisation which delivers important community awareness and education to promote child protection,’’ Cr Camm said.

“With the help of proceeds of the two Bulls Masters versus Baggy Blues T20 games played at Harrup Park, Bravehearts have been able to provide their essential services in Mackay over the past two years.

“Council is pleased to see the results of our Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program, that has delivered some great cricketing action for sports fans in Mackay and delivered the community benefit of having Bravehearts working with children, schools and child care facilities and educating us all on the important issue of child protection,” she said.

Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show is an interactive live education program which has been teaching children about personal safety since 2006 and seen almost one million children, nationally.

This highly effective education program, which has been independently evaluated three times, is delivered by Bravehearts’ education facilitators to children aged 3 to 8 in primary schools and childcare centres.

The 30 to 40 minute live production teaches personal safety strategies and skills to help children stay safe in a range of situations from sexual assault to bullying.

The star of the Show is Ditto – a friendly, non-verbal lion cub in purple overalls, whose personal safety messages are facilitated via a specially trained Bravehearts educational performer. Ditto and the facilitator impart the educational messages using song, dance and child-friendly, age-appropriate language.  

The show builds on children’s instinctive understanding of feelings around their personal safety in a way that is non-confronting, safe and highly effective, focusing on Ditto’s ‘three rules’:

1.      We all have the right to feel safe with people.

2.      It’s ok to say no if you feel unsafe or unsure.

3.      Nothing is so yucky that you can’t tell someone about it.

 

These three rules underpin the program and help to support the five key areas of the show that break down into the following five key learning objectives:

·        Differentiation between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ feelings.

·        Recognition of ‘warning signs’.

·        Identification of ‘private parts’ and body ownership.

·        Identification of language and feelings associated with secrets.

·        Action children should take if they feel unsafe or unsure.

 

Ditto In A Box is a comprehensive resource for the teaching of personal safety to young children. The resource aligns with The Early Years Learning Framework, including the principles, practices, learning outcomes and the quality areas that make up assessment.

The resource comes with a detailed teacher’s guide, designed to support and equip educators with the knowledge, tools and capacity to create environments that are safe and nurturing, particularly in the areas of health, well being, communication and safety.

Ditto In A Box aims to reinforce the protective behaviour strategies presented in Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show, however the resource can also be used independently of the Show.

Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show is facilitated by education teams in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, South East Qld and Northern Qld, who collectively visit up to 2000 schools and early-learning centres annually along the East Coast, as well as in remote and rural communities as far north as Thursday Island and inland to Longreach and surrounding outback communities. 

Last financial year, close to 126,000 children saw Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show. Thousands more learned personal safety skills via Bravehearts’ Ditto teaching resources including the DVD of the Show, the Parent’s Guide, Activity Book, learning kit and Ditto In A Box, with more than 99,000 personal safety learning resources sold or distributed free of charge to help keep Aussie kids safe.

Bravehearts is Australia’s leader in child protection offering specialised training services for government organisations, educators in schools and childcare centres, education and support services for children and their families, while parents and carers can download free child safe information resources from our website www.bravehearts.org.au. 

Call our toll free Support Line on 1800 272 831 Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 4:30pm (AEST) or visit our website www.bravehearts.org.au. #ProtectKids #Bravehearts #1in5 #DittoProtectsKids

-ENDS-

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

For Bravehearts and Bulls Masters interviews please contact Insight Communications:

Clare Collins - P: 02 9518 4744 – M: 0414 821 957 E: clare@insightcommunications.net.au

Alice Collins - P: 02 9518 4744 – M: 0414 686 091 E: alice@insightcommunications.net.au

 

What Queensland teachers and parents have to say about Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show

"Well done. I was finding it difficult to explain to my daughter these issues, this was made easy.” Parent

"A wonderful program that is preventative in nature - keep up the great work!" Teacher, Cardwell State School

"A great suitable, age appropriate program which helps children understand child protection and what to do if in a certain situation.” Teacher, Mountain View Adventist College

"Should be an essential part of all children’s education. The interactive bits were excellent.  A well thought out program." Principal, Woree State School

"The program was well presented by very enthusiastic presenters. The length was perfect & kept the children very entertained while learning about personal safety." Teacher, Laura State School