Social workers like Gemma Smyth are rarely recognised despite the impact they have on hundreds of lives.
The Territory social worker has been presented with the highest recognition among her colleagues - the Mary Moylan award - which is awarded in memory of a highly respected Centrelink social worker who passed away in 2002.
Gemma Smyth works in mental health on a forensic team performing case management of people who are involved in the correctional system and court consultancy.
She says social workers often go unrecognised for the work they do - pursuing social justice, advocacy, and the enhancement of the quality of life and development of individuals, families and communities.
"Social Work can be very challenging because it involves helping people to fully participate in society through self-determination and link with other resources.
"People come up against barriers, inequalities and injustices in society and it's the role of social workers to help them to come through these on top.
"We work with individuals, groups and communities to help them change the conditions that they're living with and address their psychosocial needs," she said.
The Mary Moylan award was presented at Parliament House and also recognised Ms Smyth's volunteer work as the editor of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) newsletter.
"I've been editing the newsletter for ten years. I hope it assists social workers feel connected to other social workers across the NT," she said.
Charles Darwin University's (CDU) Jean Packham was also nominated for the Mary Moylan award. Ms Packham has worked in Darwin, Kunnunurra and Katherine assisting people who had been sexually abused or living in a violent household. She now works at CDU, where she helped to develop and reintroduce the social work course.
Media Contact: Cameron Jackson, DHCS Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Release date: 27 May 2008
