What do our Board of Directors think are the most important things
Berry Street is doing to help children have a good childhood ?
Mary Clark , BA ( Journalism ) Public Relations and Media Consultant
Medical and other evidence now shows , unequivocally , that children who enjoy good childhoods grow up to be better adults who , in turn , better care for their own children . Berry Street understands this critical connection and puts it to intelligent and compassionate practice , so that children whose lives have fallen apart , through no fault of their own , can be helped and supported and their childhoods strengthened and restored .
Dr Neil Coventry , Vice-President MBBS , FRAWZCP , Cert . Child Psychiatry Training , Director Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
The responsibility for children ’ s mental health belongs to us all . Berry Street makes a difference by intervening early , to rectify these potential negative pathways , to turn these young lives around , enabling more positive futures .
Mithran Doraisamy , BSc , MBA , ACA Partner , Business Advisory Services , Ernst and Young
It is Berry Street ’ s integrated approach that is most important in helping children have a good childhood . This is most evident in some of the rural communities in which we operate , where we offer a range of services , are considered an integral part of the community ... and where we make a real difference .
Michelle Evans , BA . Comm , MA Creative Arts , PBAS Accredited , Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development
Great relationships are the soil upon which positive childhood memories and self esteem are grown . For me , my association with Berry Street is inspired by the desire to work with kids at risk as I think these kids are some of Victoria ’ s greatest assets – they are our future .
Laurinda Gardner , President BA ( Hons ), Deputy Secretary , Strategic Management , Department of Treasury and Finance
Being connected to Berry Street provides a reminder to not take for granted the privileges I have , and that the smallest of efforts can generate significant lasting benefits .
David Green , BA Dip . Soc . Stud , MA ( Hons ), PSM Associate Professor , School of Social Work , La Trobe University
Berry Street exists to restore the chance of a good childhood for children who have been abused and betrayed and denied the security and care to build their identities and their independence . Bridging this gap is what Berry Street foster parents , carers , teachers , therapists and workers do . It can be very hard . They deserve our utmost respect and support .
Steve Harris Communications and Sport Strategist Berry Street is a daily ray of sunlight that quietly shines on one child , somewhere and someplace in our community , keeping alive his or her hope that there are better days ahead , that not everyone is cruel or negligent or unsympathetic , or that the community is cold or uncaring . By keeping that hope alive , we keep our children in our community alive and valued .
Kate Jenkins , BA ( Hons ), LL . B ( Hons ) Partner , Employee Relations , Freehills A good childhood means lots of things : having fun holiday memories ; having people who care for and accept you no matter what you do ; having people who know the name of your favourite toy ; having people who value you and help you find your special talent . In addition to wonderful care , there are many Berry Street initiatives that are driven by our desire to help create a good childhood .
Dr Janine Kirk , Vice-President AM ., BEc ., HonLLD Lead Partner – Victorian Government , Ernst and Young One of the experiences I feel blessed about in my life is that I had a wonderful childhood – safe , secure , knowing that I was loved by my parents and encouraged to seek a life full of opportunity and possibilities . So many children do not have the same experience . Working with Berry Street enables me to contribute in a small way .
Peter Koren , B . Bus , AANA Managing Director , Oceanis Australia It never ceases to amaze me how Berry Street continues to evolve itself to ensure it is in the best position to assist those in desperate need of help . I could not have more respect for its management and staff .
Paul Wappett . B . Comm , LL . B , MBA , Executive Director , International Development , CPA Australia Ltd Berry Street can ’ t change the past for these kids , but our extraordinary people can – and do – create a positive present and an optimistic future . And the fact that we never give up means that even the kids with the most complex needs know that they can rely on us and trust us .
Brian Watson , B . Comm Executive Chairman , Georgica Associates Pty Ltd I think the most important thing that Berry Street does for children is embedded in our motto – we never give up . Creating a school environment where kids who have rejected , or been rejected by , traditional educational institutions really want to come and learn is a real breakthrough . If Berry Street didn ’ t do this , no-one else would .