I cannot give up, i cannot give up on the children—Bernadette McMenamin, AO

Abstract

Bernadette McMenamin’s biography presents an exceptional life story and list of professional accomplishments. Overcoming early adversities in life, Bernadette completed social work education, began her social work practice career in public housing, vehemently fought for social justice and became a leading campaigner against child sex abuse. Bernadette founded Child Wise™ Limited, a child protection charity with a local and global mission, based in Melbourne, Australia, and she was Chief Executive Officer for more than 22 years. As the National Director of Child Wise, Bernadette was responsible for developing innovative child abuse prevention programs and campaigns, nationally and internationally. Of particular note is the enactment of the Child Sex Tourism law in 1994 to make sex with children overseas a prosecutable offence in Australia, and her advocacy for its implementation. In recognition of these sustained efforts and achievements Child Wise received a number of awards. In 2004 Bernadette was the Victorian finalist for Australian of the Year and was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in June of that year. In 2005, she won the Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Social Entrepreneur category for the Southern Region of Australia and in 2006 she was a Victorian finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Award. The analysis of her life story and professional practice offers inspiring lessons and qualities.