Our History

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.