Two Australian children's websites have received international acclaim at the recent Childnet International Awards, held in Washington D.C.

www.lawstuff.org.au, developed by the National Children's & Youth Law Centre came second in their category and www.brookvaleps.nsw.edu.au, developed by Brookvale Primary School received a Highly Commended in the competition, held on 19 April 2001.

Sponsored by Optus and Cable & Wireless plc, these annual Awards reward children and those working with them, for developing outstanding internet projects which benefit other children around the world.

More than 200 entries from 47 countries competed this year. The 10 finalists travelled to Washington D.C. from Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom and the U.S.A.

Stephen Cameron, Director of Marketing, Optus, said that sites were judged not just on technical expertise and design, but how children would use that site to connect to the internet, connect with others and break down barriers.

"We are proud to host these Awards. It is an immensely successful program, and Childnet has established a worldwide reputation for encouraging children to use the internet both creatively and safely," he said.

"These Childnet winners are the technology leaders of the future," Mr Cameron said.

Mr Cameron also said that there is now less public space in which children can communicate openly.

"We are seeing in the Childnet Awards how children are using the Net to share their lives, create and inspire others, and form a new online -community' which is not restricted to national boundaries," he said.

For more information contact:
Jennifer Thurgate
Publicist Childnet International - Australia
Telephone: 61 2 9439 2904
Mobile: 0418 219 664
Email: Thurgate@magna.com.au

Backgrounder

About www.lawstuff.org.au
This Australian site was awarded second place in the not-for-profit category. It has been developed by the National Children's & Youth Law Centre and aims to provide advice and legal information to young Australians as well as their parents, advocates and the wider community.

Mr Louis Schetzer, Director and Principal Solicitor National Children's and Youth Law Centre said, "Lawstuff is one of the first legal websites for children and young people developed in Australia. It uses cartoons and short stories to encourage young people to ask questions about the law and to help them make informed decisions."

"The site has proved to be an important mechanism to overcome the problems associated with distance, isolation and scarcity of legal aid resources. Our service is anonymous, inexpensive and accessible 24 hours a day. It promotes self-help without the reliance of an adult and importantly, the site is fun and easy to use," he said.

About www.brookvaleps.edu.au
Brookvale Public School received a Commended Award in the annual Childnet International Awards for 2001. The site was developed for, and is maintained by, the primary school students. It highlights the many and varied activities occurring at the school, covering all classes and ranges of topics including the students' diverse cultural backgrounds, the local environment and academic and sporting achievements.

Mr Chris Taylor, Assistant Principal Brookvale Public School said, "We are very proud to receive this prestigious award. Our website plays a key role in helping our children learn how to communicate. Originally, we set up the site as an exercise in writing for an audience. As a result the children improved their writing and at the same time gained a better understanding of the environment in which they live," he said.