Proud Gubbi Gubbi and Wakka Wakka man, Russell Bennet, a Cultural Support Worker at Gympie Anglicare Southern Queensland, has been honoured with the Youth Participation Award during the 2023 Queensland Child Protection Week awards.
This recognition is in acknowledgment of his contributions to the Gubbi Gubbi program, which offers practical and therapeutic support to young individuals who have endured trauma.
Through a collaboration with Landcare, the Gubbi Gubbi program actively involves young individuals in nurturing the environment while offering them practical and therapeutic advantages.
This initiative educates youth on the significance of tending to the land and fosters a connection with their cultural heritage.
Mr Bennet said he was honoured to be presented with the award in recognition for the role he plays in helping to improve the mental wellbeing of young people aged 10 years and over.
"As an active member in the community, I'm caring for Country every day and teaching young people to become custodians of our bush and to take care of our Country and to look after it," he said.
"Once the children have been on Country, they become aware of the importance of why we need to save our Country.
"They become interested in what I try and teach them and then I take that angle to support them into further employment and training."
Anglicare Southern Queensland's Chief Operating Officer for Children, Youth & Families, Jason Ware, congratulated Mr Bennet for his hard work and dedication to helping the community's young people.
"It's great to see Russell being recognised for his commitment to helping young people in the Gympie region," Mr Ware said.
"The positive impact he has had on the lives of our young people is a testament to his hard work, dedication and commitment that he brings to work each and every day and, we are very fortunate to have him work for Anglicare."
In the annual PeakCare Awards two years ago, Mr. Bennet received a nomination in recognition of his unwavering dedication to his community.
His work spans across assisting young people, families, and professionals in preventing children from entering the care system and provides support to children already in care and the caregivers who support them.
Mr. Bennet plays an active role in fostering community connections through both one-on-one and group mentoring sessions with children.
These sessions concentrate on tackling obstacles, delving into cultural roots, reconnecting children with their land, instilling a sense of belonging to their country, boosting self-confidence and resilience, advocating for positive behaviour choices, showing respect for Elders, and enhancing employment prospects.
"I'd like to thank my Anglicare team for all your support, particularly my two coordinators Lesleigh and Shelli and I would like to thank our Service Manager Sue Mills for all her guidance and support," Mr Bennet said.
"I would also like to thank Gympie Landcare for their continuous support of our young people and myself and the traineeships they deliver and the employment that follows on after that."
