Yakkerboo spirit rewarded

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S Yakkerboo Festival has earned more fame with an award recognising the town as a Child Friendly Community.
The festival, for many years a highlight on the community calendar, was honoured by help organisation NAPCAN for making a positive difference to children and families.
The recognition came during celebrations for National Child Protection Week.
Yakkerboo was congratulated on being “child friendly” by Community Services and Children’s Minister Sherryl Garbutt.
Festival president Graeme Moore said the award was a great boost for the festival, now in its 30th year.
“We’re really rapt about it,” he said.
Mr Moore congratulated committee member Christine Young who instigated the Pakenham event’s entry in the awards.
NAPCAN says a Child Friendly Community is one that provides children with opportunities for optimal growth and development, socially, emotionally, culturally and spiritually.
Yakkerboo was said to encourage children, parents and families to spend time participating in the festival together.
It provided a “safe and enriching environment and a pleasant and social atmosphere in which children had opportunities to extend their social, emotional and cultural growth and development.”
Yakkerboo was also described as encouraging the Cardinia Shire as a safe place where children can actively participate in community events.
“This increased activity, whether it is from walking to the fireworks, joining the parade, walking around the craft market or running and playing about in the parks surrounding the free children’s carnival, contribute to children’s physical health and total wellbeing.”