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Finalists have been announced in the 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards, including our Children and Youth Empowerment Award and the Walda Blow Aboriginal Children and Young People Award.
Congratulations to the individuals and teams being recognised for excellence in working with children, young people and families.
Finalists
Child and Youth Empowerment Award
- Anna Zhang, Kids First Australia
- Ballarat Kids Think Tank, City of Ballarat
- Next Steps, Next Steps Australia
- Right to be Heard, Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
Walda Blow Aboriginal Children and Young People Award
- Deb Milera, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- Donna Widdicombe, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative
- Esmai Manahan, MacKillop Family Services
- Kylie Bell, Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA)
Winners will be awarded at the 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards ceremony on Thursday 3 September.
We look forward to celebrating all who have had a positive impact working with children, young people and families during Child Protection Week.
More information
The Victorian Protecting Children Awards celebrate the Victorian child and family services sector and community. You can learn more about the Awards and all the finalists on the Victorian Protecting Children Awards webpage.