“We all have a part to play.”
The Uniting Church in Australia’s National Safe Church Unit has released a new Child Safe Principles poster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
Grace Williams, artist and a proud palawa woman from the South-East nations of lutrawita, has created powerful artwork for a new Principles for a Child Safe Uniting Church in Australia poster, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and communities.
Her artwork appears as a watermark on the poster.
“This artwork represents the land on which we walk, the land that nurtures us, and the land our children grow on and with,” said Grace.
“It represents our connection as a Culture, the whole-community approach with our children and how important it is for us to keep our children safe. To raise our children strong in Culture, wisdom, knowledge and education. Let’s all have a role in keeping our children safe and strong.”
Grace works as a Cultural and Community Resource Officer for Leprena, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Tasmania.
John Cox, National Director, National Safe Church Unit said “Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, celebrating First Nations children and their right to grow up strong in culture and spirit. We’re honoured to collaborate with Grace, and with Mark Kickett, Interim Chairperson UAICC, to make this poster available for congregations and communities. As Grace says, we all have a part to play.”
Download the poster to share here or visit the National Safe Church Unit website. Principles posters in 10 other languages, along with a range of useful resources, can be found under Resources on the website.
Have ideas for other safe church resources which would be helpful to your congregation? Please contact NSCU at info@safechurch.uca.org.au