The South Australian Child Protection Awards are hosted by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).

Now in their third year, the awards honour the outstanding achievements of children and young people, carers, volunteers, staff and organisations from across the child protection sector.

NAPCAN Chief Executive Officer Leesa Waters congratulated the finalists on their achievements.

“It's a privilege to support this ongoing partnership and to help shine a light on the amazing individuals and organisations in South Australia who are working to keep children safe,” she said.

“Protecting children is the responsibility of all of us right across the community, and when we work together we can prevent child abuse and neglect.”

Read on to learn about three award recipients, all examples of the different ways people are helping keep children and young people in our community safe.

Volunteer of the Year: Myra Langdon

Myra Langdon was seeking ways to give back to her community when she signed up to help vulnerable children through the Department for Child Protection’s volunteer service.

That was about 27 years ago – and she’s only just finished up in her role, driving children and young people to and from access visits with family members, or to school and appointments.

The Kiwi moved to Australia about 35 years ago, first living in Melbourne and later moving to Adelaide’s northern suburbs. She now lives in the city’s northern rural outskirts.

“I came here for a holiday and forgot to go home,” Myra, pictured right, says.

“When (my daughter) went to school, I thought, I’m not going to stay home and do nothing, this is boring.”

Children and young people in touch with the child protection system have often experienced significant trauma and issues affecting their families including domestic violence, mental illness, drug use and poverty; often a combination of these factors.

Myra “couldn’t believe” what some of the children in care had experienced, and wanted to do what she could to support them.

She says she loved developing a rapport with the children and seeing them open up and trust her.

Myra says sometimes the children she worked with would be beaming when she arrived, and chatty during the journey.

“There were a lot of kids that when they saw me they’d run out,” she says.

“They might say, 'Myra, can you help me put my shoes on?’"

Others were quiet, but often they would open up as she got to know them over transport relationships that might last up to a year.

Outstanding achievement of a child or young person: Shantae Barnes-Cowan

Shantae, a 20-year-old Adnyamathanha woman who grew up in care in Whyalla, started acting at the early age of 15 and now, at 20, has featured in a number of films and mini-series.

“I’m on my way,” Shantae, pictured left, says.

“I never did drama in school, but Deb Mailman and Jessica Mauboy are my big inspirations.”

The irony is rich, when you realise Shantae has already been named one of Adelaide’s most inspiring women.

Recognition for her started early; she was 2018 Whyalla NAIDOC Week Female Sportsperson of the Year and Whyalla Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year in 2020.

Now Shantae, has been recognised in the South Australian Child Protection Awards.

“Amazing,” she says. “I was in shock. It’s a big deal for me.

“It’s a chance to become a leader, an example to others. I’m very proud.”

Shantae was placed in the care of Jeanette and Steve Cowan when she was just one, and has three sisters and seven brothers.

“They’re just mum and dad,” she says. “It’s super normal. We’re very close and always will be.

“They want me to come back. They miss me.”

Shantae has now moved to Adelaide, and is pursuing beauty qualifications - her other passion - at TAFE while she auditions for more roles.

Kinship Carer of the Year: Dwayne Harvey, supported by InComPro

Dwayne, a single father of five daughters from the Mid North, was nominated by his Martinthi Aboriginal Kinship Care support worker for his efforts in caring for his two-year-old niece who joined his family as an eight month old.

“It’s a juggling act,” Dwayne says humbly.

“It’s a big family, but she’s my niece, so she is family.”

He is supported by InComPro Aboriginal Association in partnership with Uniting Care Wesley Bowden.

Part of his selfless duties include taking his niece on the 250km trips to Adelaide, to be able to visit her mother, and attend medical appointments.

He never misses a family-contact visit despite the logistical challenges of travelling with an infant. His kinship case worker was so impressed, she nominated him for the prestigious award.

“You could have blown me over,” he says of the nomination.

“But I didn’t start the journey for recognition. I started so she’d have a healthy, happy family to grow up in.”

Dwayne, 38, a Bidjara man whose country is in south-western Queensland, has worked in disability care but has spent the past 18 months as a full-time parent.

He shares custody of his four younger daughters, Talisha, 14, Hailey, 11, Felicity, 6, and Peyton, 4, with their mother. His eldest Sophie, 16, lives with him and also helps with raising his niece.

“Babies require a lot of attention,” he says plainly.

Dwayne says his journey to becoming a kinship carer was a tragic one.

He and his now ex-wife had hoped to take care of another niece who sadly died of health issues before the placement.

But when DCP called, needing a carer for the niece now living with him, “she was just one day old" he says.

“We accepted in a heartbeat. There was no question I wouldn’t.”

The little girl is now flourishing. She attends rural care three times a week and loves it.

She’s a big eater and loves fruit, and Dwayne plays a big part in keeping her connected to family and culture.

When Dwayne and his wife separated last year, he decided to press on.

“I’m raising five daughters,” he says. “It’s not my first rodeo.

“To me, she’s my daughter … I’m in this for the long haul.”

This award was jointly won by Kylie Stewart, supported by DCP.

Learn about all the winners and finalists from the Department of Child Protection.