Flourish by Five forum will focus on support for young Murray Bridge families
Veteran women's and children's rights campaigner Annette Korzeba says more needs to be done to help preschool-aged local children.
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What can be done to help every Murray Bridge child get the best possible start in life?
That question will be put in the spotlight at a community forum being run by local advocate Annette Korzeba next Thursday night.
The event, Flourish by Five, will focus on making sure local children have adequate access to early learning experiences throughout their preschool years, and making sure support is available for families who need it.
Speakers will include:
- Superintendent James Blandford, head of SA Police's public protection branch
- Shane Maddocks, CEO of community agency AC Care
- Elspeth McInnes AM, an associate professor of sociology at the University of South Australia
“As I see it, Murray Bridge has a host of health services and family support programs with very dedicated workers at the coal face,” Ms Korzeba said.
Health workers, churches and service clubs did their best to identify children who were at risk of leaving school without a plan for their futures.
Schools had wellbeing coordinators, chaplains and teachers looking out for their students; preschool staff supported their children, and helped struggling families where they could.
“Still, with all this I think many of us would be thinking ‘what more can be done?’” Ms Korzeba said.
“The notion of early identification and intervention (with) families who are unable to provide for essentials is gaining momentum.”
The forum would help demonstrate the need for more services in the community, she said.
The bigger the crowd on the night, the stronger the message that would be sent to decision-makers in Adelaide and Canberra.
The forum at Murray Bridge Uniting Church will start at 6pm next Thursday, October 27, and will include a light supper.
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