National Families Week this year coincides with the UN International Day of the Family on 15 May and Mother’s Day on 13 May. The theme for National Families Week this year is “Families Investing in Time Together (FITT Families).”
“This year, National Families Week recognizes how important it is for families to spend time together” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“National Families Week is about encouraging families to take time to do things together.”
“As a working parent and a mother of two, I know how hard it can be to balance work and family commitments, but I also know how important and rewarding spending family time together is.”
“Our society reserves a special place for the family, and local families in Calwell continue to be the cornerstone of our local community.”
“Being able to strike a healthy work-life balance is crucial to every family. It is something that we need to protect. We need to make sure that Australian families are never robbed of the ability to spend quality family time together.”
To help mark National Families Week, Maria asked children studying in Grades 1-6 in local schools to send in a picture or poem or short story on the theme “My Favourite thing I like to do with my Family.”
“The response from local school children has been overwhelming. The pictures, poems and stories I received were beautiful” Ms Vamvakinou said.
"What each piece showed is that our children already have a strong grasp of how important family time is."
“They are a reminder of the crucial role that time with the family plays when it comes to the personal development and welfare of our children."
The winning entry came from a Grade 2 student in Sunbury Heights Primary School. They will receive a winners certificate, and their school will receive a $250 library book voucher.
The runner up is a Grade 1 student at Isik college who will receive a runners up certificate, and their school will receive a $100 library book voucher.
All children who sent a picture, poem or short story will also receive a certificate for their outstanding work.
Contact: Alex Kouttab
