“This book represents my love for fairy tales. My passion driven by my hope that someday my life can represent a fairy tale,” is the written explanation of the above photograph by one of the young people featured in the As Eye See It exhibition.

A black and white photography exhibition in Sydney, by young people living in out-of-home care in New South Wales, a puppet show touring primary schools in Western Australian, a symposium and gala award dinner acknowledging child protection champions in Queensland, a Professionals Networking BBQ in Victoria, jumping castles, face painting and more at a free Family Picnic Day in regional NSW and a NAPCAN Play Your Part award ceremony in Tasmania are some of the events happening in National Child Protection Week (6 – 12 September, 2015).

The As Eye See It initiative, which is launching in National Child Protection Week, at Juniper Hall, Paddington, Sydney, is coordinated by the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and provides a revealing insight into the lives of young people living in out-of-home care. The latest statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that, there are 43,009 Australian children living in out-of-home care.

The participants in the exhibition are given a digital camera and asked to submit five black and white photographs about what is important to them, a photo of their eye and twenty-five words about each image.

“This football represents my love of sports and the connections I make when I play sports such as family, friends and community,” describes the below photo featured in As Eye See It. The free public exhibition is open from 9 to 20 September (Wednesday to Sundays).

The exhibition will also feature at NAPCAN’s New South Wales Play Your Part Awards ceremony. The awards recognise individuals and organisations that play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, through inspiring, community led, evidenced based initiatives.

The NAPCAN Tasmanian Play Your Part Award ceremony with guest speaker, National Children’s Commissioner Ms Megan Mitchell, will be a breakfast in Hobart that is open to the public, register here. Young people will emcee at the event, the Minister for Human Services, the Hon Jacquie Petrusma MP will launch NCPW in the state and Tasmania’s Children’s Commissioner, Mr Mark Morrissey, will present the Play Your Part award.

In Western Australia a puppet show about a lion that is feeling unsafe and needs to tell someone will be presented by Allambee Counselling and the police to the primary schools of Dwellingup, Boddington and Waroona. The visits will include interactive arts and crafts activities about protective behaviours themes and concepts, such as creating safety hands. The Department for Child Protection and Family support will also hold a presentation to school staff.

A child protection week symposium and gala award dinner acknowledging child protection champions will take place in the Ipswich region. Child and youth service providers, school support staff, health professionals and students studying in the human services field are welcome to join in the educational engagement event.

The Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation will highlight the importance of child protection in the community and recognise the accomplishments of individuals, organisations and services in the Ipswich police region, in the child safety and protection sector.

A free Family Picnic Day will be held in King Edward Park, Glen Innes, hosted by the Council’s Children and Family Services department, with face painting, jumping castles, entertainment, craft, food and information bags for families.

In Shepparton, FamilyCare will host a professionals networking barbeque to celebrate the good work being done to promote child safety and wellbeing.

Last year’s recipient of the National Play Your Part Award, Wollongong City Council – Child Friendly Cities, will take part in the South Coast Child Wellbeing Network’s Professional Development Day at Kiama Pavillion. The conference for over 100 people is designed for workers in early childhood, health, education, FaCS and non-government organisations working with vulnerable families.

Wollongong City Council is also co-hosting a free Family Fun Day at Westfield Warawong for families with children aged zero to five, which includes a reading tent, play dough and craft activities, Billy Back Pack and Bright Spark mascots, a music area, freebies, raffle prizes, and information for parents.

Register an event for National Child Protection Week here.