THE City of Greater Bendigo council is recognising the achievements of local people, organisations and businesses who support children and their families by rewarding them with a sticker identifying them as child friendly.
Epsom councillor Trudi McClure said the stickers demonstrated to children they were valued by the participating people, service or shop as equal citizens in the community.
“By displaying a sticker, local service providers are showing a willingness to listen to children and to undertake activities that meets their needs,” she said.
“The Child Friendly City sticker is another excellent example of the work being undertaken by City of Greater Bendigo, St Luke’s Anglicare, Bendigo Community Health, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Health Service and a primary school consortium who are joining together for Bendigo children to promote happy and healthy children and families in our community.”
Council’s Children and Family Services manager Rosalie Rogers said valuing and welcoming children could be demonstrated in many different ways.
“A restaurant may have a suitable children’s menu, high chairs, a play area or children’s activity and enough space for prams to pass,” she said.
“Child friendly organisations welcome breast feeding mothers, are smoke free and willing to be flexible enough to accommodate the sometimes unpredictable needs of children.
“Other ways services and organisations can demonstrate the importance of children in our community is to promote and support children’s events and activities or address environmental issues that will affect the safety and well-being of children.”
Applications for a sticker can be made on line at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/children, or for more details contact Family Services on 5434 6364.