Consistent with the theme of this year’s Child Protection Week, ‘Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business’, we wish to spread the word that keeping our youngest community members healthy and safe is the responsibility of all.

Three local professional support services have shared their thoughts on building stronger, more connected communities to support our young families.
David "Chappy Dave" Larkin
Chappy Dave is the chaplain at Buderim Mountain State School and partners with the school and community to support families and their children. Chappy Dave has been a part of the Buderim school community for over 7 years and extends a listening ear and caring presence for all. His role at Buderim is a fun and flexible one, which includes some of the following:
  • Offering pastoral care and support to students and families.
  • Running lunchtime activities including the ‘Chappy Room’.
  • Running social emotional lessons in the classroom setting.
  • Joining in sporting days, special lessons, excursions, camps and walk to school Wednesdays.
  • Being an active role model for positive behaviour and values to students.
  • Giving a listening ear and advice when asked for it.
  • Being a friend to all at the school.

Sally Fitzgerald
Sally Fitzgerald is an occupational therapist who has a special interest in the field of paediatric practice. Sally has been practicing across the public, NGO & private sector for six years. Sally has a passion for social justice, early childhood intervention and paediatric practice.

Sally is the founder and managing director of Imagine Therapies, which provides allied health services to children at the Brightwater practice and/ or directly to schools and early learning centres on the Sunshine Coast. Sally has been involved in setting up and delivering an early intervention service supporting children with autism in rural and remote Queensland, giving back to the profession through her involvement in research projects and has delivered services merging education and health to provide best outcomes for the children involved.

In 2013, together with Claire Gilmour,  Sally founded ‘The Treehouse Initiative’, a not-for-profit supporting children with challenges on the Sunshine Coast. As appointed Chairman, Sally works with a multi-disciplinary board to create better outcomes for children (www.thetreehouseinitiative.org.au).