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In Victoria? Make sure you’re aware of the many awards on offer for those in ECEC

Freya Lucas

Jul 20, 2023

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Victoria has earned a reputation as being progressive and forward thinking when it comes to early childhood education and care (ECEC). To support those working in Victoria to showcase their practice and progress, a number of awards are on offer through the Victorian Committee of Early Childhood Australia (ECA).

The range of awards celebrate student achievement and research excellence, in addition to providing financial support to attend professional development. The awards were established in 2005 and have expanded to six award categories, to meet the diverse needs of the early childhood community.

Agnes Farrance Conference Award

In recognition of the strong commitment of Agnes Farrance to the professional development of early childhood educators, the Agnes Farrance Conference Award enables someone from within the profession to participate in a professional conference and to have the opportunity to share their experience with colleagues and peers.

This award provides financial support for an early childhood educator to attend a conference up to the value of $1,000. This could be the National Early Childhood Conference or another significant conference. For application forms and further details, click here.

The closing date for application is Friday, 28 July 2023.

Diane Chandler Memorial Award

Diane Chandler was strongly committed to the belief that all staff working within the ECEC sector needed to remain abreast of current research, trends and influences which would affect teaching practice in early childhood.

In recognition of her strong commitment to the professional development of early childhood educators, the Diane Chandler Memorial Award enables someone from within the profession to participate in their choice of a professional development opportunity that would improve outcomes for young children and their families.

This award provides financial support to an early childhood professional educator, to undertake professional development of their choosing to the value of $1,500.

For application forms and further details, click here.

The closing date for application is Friday, 28 July 2023.

ECA VIC Doctoral Thesis Award

The Victorian Committee Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award was established in 2015. The aim of this award is to recognise the level of excellence and diligence required to undertake and complete a Doctoral thesis and to encourage the generation of quality and early childhood research in Victoria.

The thesis must be a PhD or EdD (Professional Doctorate) awarded in the year of application or the previous year by a university in Victoria.

The Doctoral Thesis Award comprises:

A citation delivered with the presentation of the award at the ECA Victorian Committee AGM and/or Research Forum
Travel support if required to attend the Victorian Committee AGM and/or Research Forum.

The award recipient will also receive a 12-month complimentary membership to Early Childhood Australia and subscriptions to ECA publications: AJEC; Every Child: Research in Practice, and Everyday Learning.

For submission and assessment guidelines, click here. For application forms and further details, click here

The closing date for application is Monday, 25 August 2023.

ECA VIC Student Excellence Award

The Student Excellence Award showcases the endeavours and accomplishments of early childhood graduates, recognising not only academic excellence but also personal, professional and community achievements.

The Victorian Early Childhood Australia Student Awards are offered in the final year of pre-service teachers’ studies. The successful candidates for this award must be in the final year of their Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) course to be eligible for this award.

The award recipient will receive a 12-month complimentary membership to Early Childhood Australia and a 12-month subscription to the Early Childhood Australia Learning Hub as an acknowledgment of being part of a dynamic, collective of early childhood professionals.

For application forms and further details, click here.

The closing date for application is Friday, 29 September 2023.

Rose Kelly Recognition Award

The Rose Kelly Recognition Award aims to acknowledge well-recognised and respected early childhood professionals who have engaged in effective advocacy for social justice and equity on behalf of young children and the early childhood sector.

This award provides financial support to attend an ECA event in the year awarded. The successful recipient will also receive a 12-month subscription to the Early Childhood Australia Learning Hub.

For application forms and further details, click here.

The closing date for application is Friday, 28 July 2023.

Learn more about the work of ECA here.

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