--- title: Our History --- [![CWCoA](https://childrensweek.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/CWCoA%20Logo-01-01.png?width=300&height=77&name=CWCoA%20Logo-01-01.png "CWCoA")](https://childrensweek.org.au?hsLang=en) - [About](https://childrensweek.org.au/about) - [About Children's Week](https://childrensweek.org.au/about) - [National Patron](https://childrensweek.org.au/about/national-patron) - [The Council](https://childrensweek.org.au/the-council) - [Children's Week Council](https://childrensweek.org.au/the-council) - [History](https://childrensweek.org.au/our-history) - Resources - [Rights of the Child](https://childrensweek.org.au/resources/rights-of-the-child) - [Activities & Tip Sheets](https://childrensweek.org.au/resources/activities-tip-sheets) - [Songs](https://childrensweek.org.au/resources/songs) - [UNICEF](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention) - Children's Week - [Theme](https://childrensweek.org.au/childrens-week/theme) - [Promotion](https://childrensweek.org.au/promotion) - [Translations](https://childrensweek.org.au/translations) - [2027 Poster Competition](https://childrensweek.org.au/poster-competition) - [Contact Us](https://childrensweek.org.au/contact-us) [Shop](https://childrensrightsshop.org.au/discount/CWCOA15) # Our History [Home](https://childrensweek.org.au/?hsLang=en) \> The Council \> Our History ##### The Children’s Week Council of Australia was founded in 1987. ![Children Playing](https://childrensweek.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Children%20Playing.jpg?width=2000&name=Children%20Playing.jpg) ### History of Children’s Week in Australia In 1954, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed **Universal Children’s Day** as a day to promote friendship and understanding among children worldwide. Over time, it became a day to focus attention on the needs, rights, and wellbeing of children and their families. **UNICEF** was tasked with supporting the development of this concept globally, encouraging each country to select a date that aligned with local arrangements. In countries like the United States and Canada, Universal Children’s Day is observed in **November**. In **Australia**, however, **Children’s Week** places Universal Children’s Day at its centre and is held in **October**. The day promotes global fraternity and understanding among children and highlights the ideals of the **United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)**—a globally agreed charter of 54 articles that outline every child’s rights to dignity, equality, and protection, regardless of race, gender, language, background, or ability. ### From Child Care Week to Children’s Week Prior to 1977, many Australian states and territories held **Child Care Week**, with a focus on children in care or institutions. The timing varied by state. In the 1980s, the **Commonwealth Government** sought to establish a more unified celebration. States and territories were encouraged to align their events with Universal Children’s Day in October. To support this, each Children’s Week Committee was offered **$2,000** in funding to participate. By **1985**, it was agreed to expand the week’s focus beyond children in care to **include all children**. The event was renamed **Children’s Week**, with celebrations held **nationally from the Saturday before Universal Children’s Day to the following Sunday**. ### Establishing the Children’s Week Council of Australia The first **Annual General Meeting of the Children’s Week Council** was held in **Melbourne in 1987**, and the Council was formally incorporated in **1992**. Representatives from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia were present at the initial meeting, with other states and territories joining soon after. The newly formed **Children’s Week Council of Australia (CWCoA)** aimed to: - Establish a **uniform date** for Children’s Week nationally. - Consider a shared **national theme** or focus each year. - Organise a **national launch** of Children’s Week. - Coordinate joint **design and printing of materials** such as posters and resources. Each state and territory committee continued to seek **grants and sponsorships** to support their programs, relying on a mix of community volunteers and representatives from government and child-focused organisations. In **1997**, the **Governor-General of Australia** was welcomed as the **official Patron** of Children’s Week. Successive Governors-General have continued in this role to the present day. ### Children’s Week Today Today, the **Children’s Week Council of Australia** continues to champion children’s rights and coordinate national efforts to celebrate Children’s Week. The Council works in close partnership with a network of **state and territory-based organisations**, each responsible for local planning and promotion of events aligned with the **United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)**. The Council holds an **Annual General Meeting and National Conference**, bringing together representatives from across the country to collaborate, share ideas, and set shared goals. These gatherings ensure a consistent, rights-based approach to Children’s Week, while still allowing flexibility for local communities to celebrate in ways that reflect their unique cultures and needs. Through these coordinated efforts, Children’s Week remains a **powerful national platform** to raise awareness, promote child participation, and recognise the value and potential of every child in Australia.  ![CWCoA Logo-01-01](https://childrensweek.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/CWCoA%20Logo-01-01.png?width=450&height=116&name=CWCoA%20Logo-01-01.png) © 2025. All rights reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://childrensweek.org.au/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) | [Terms and Conditions](https://childrensweek.org.au/terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Corporation", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "", "addressRegion" : "", "postalCode" : "", "streetAddress" : " " }, "alternateName" : "Children's Week Council of Australia", "description" : "Children's Week Council of Australia", "email" : "", "image" : "", "logo" : "https://childrensweek.org.au/hubfs/Logos/Website%20Logos-03.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://childrensweek.org.au/our-history", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "" }, "name" : "", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/revivalpixel/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/revivalpixel/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/revivalpixel/" ], "telephone" : "", "url" : "https://childrensweek.org.au/" } ```