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The University of Western Australia today become the first organisation in Western Australia to receive the Save the Children White Flame award for its contribution to children over nearly 100 years.

The Governor of Western Australia, Dr Ken Michael, presented the award to UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson at Government House.  Professor Robson said the award acknowledged the University's commitment to serving the community.

"For our University to be acknowledged with this wonderful award is deeply gratifying.  It is another step on our journey of achieving international excellence for the benefit of our community," Professor Robson said.

The award was named in honour of Save the Children Founder Eglantyne Jebb, who was driven by the appalling plight of Europe's starving children in the wake of the First World War and became known as the "white flame" for her passion for children's rights.

Sue Aldenton, Chair of Save the Children's WA State Council, said the award recognised the University's longstanding record of progressing the rights of children through research and teaching.

"The university is to be warmly commended for its exceptional contributions to improving the lives of children in Western Australia and elsewhere; in particular in supporting their right to education, health and protection," she said .

"The Guild has also been generous in supporting Uni Camp for Kids for underprivileged children while the university recognises the rights of students with disabilities, provides substantial parental leave and supports staff who use their skills and expertise as they work with children in many different circumstances."

Ms Aldenton also commended the University's outreach programs including the annual Save the Children booksale at UWA.  Started by the wives of academics 44 years ago, the sale has raised more than $2 million for programs for children in Australia and worldwide.

Save the Children, the world's largest independent child rights development organisation, is non-profit and non-sectarian organisation.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716