MAARI MA YOUTH WORKER NAMED NSW YOUTH WORKER OF THE YEAR
A Broken Hill youth worker who pulls out all stops to help young Aboriginal people in every way possible has been named this year’s Youth Worker of the Year at the 2018 NSW Youth Work Awards.
Tarissa Staker, who has been working at Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation for nine years and helped to establish Maari Ma’s Youth Health service three years ago, accepted the award in Sydney last week at a gala event.
She was selected Youth Worker of the Year from 32 nominations state-wide.
The NSW Youth Work Awards, now in their sixth year, celebrate the exceptional work of youth services and youth workers across the state.
Maari Ma Chief Executive Officer, Bob Davis, said it has been an exceptional achievement for Tarissa.
“Tarissa started with us in administration and worked her way up to becoming an Aboriginal health worker through our training program.
“She embodies all that the awards acknowledge and honor, and we are all very proud of her and for the work that she does with our young people.
“Tarissa has that rare ability to have a rapport with any young person she works with and encourages them to be confident and positive, showing care to them every day.
“She works with them with sincerity and honesty encouraging them to have health checks, helping them to keep safe and she makes it her job to ensure there are no barriers to them accessing services and achieving the best they can be.
“Tarissa is an exceptional role model within our community and contributes a significant amount of her own personal time to help kids in any way she can.
“She is also a strong advocate for young people with their schools, and government and non government agencies.
“It is our health workers who make our services work and Tarissa has done Maari Ma and our community very proud” Mr Davis said.
The 2018 NSW Youth Work Awards gala night was held on 25th October, at the Ovolo Hotel in Woolloomooloo.
Youth Action presents awards in 10 categories, to honour those individuals and services who go above and beyond to help create a society where all young people can feel supported, valued and engaged.
ENDS:
1st November 2018
Available for interview, Tarissa Staker (pre-record only)
08 8082 9777