The White Flame Award is given annually in recognition of the dedication, commitment and achievements made by a Queensland citizen in serving the needs and rights of children.

On 27 October, Save the Children Australia's 2011 White Flame Award was presented to a very worthy Queensland Citizen, Elaine Franks.
Elaine was presented with the award by Karen Flanagan, Australia's most highly regarded and respected Child Protection Specialist. The 2011 recipient Elaine Franks recently retired from Save the Children Australia after 28 dedicated years to the organisation, and 20 years prior with other organisations' - in total more than 40 years of dedicating her life to serving the needs and rights of some of Australia's most vulnerable children.

Elaine was carefully selected as this year's recipient, with runners up Paul Testro and Lucas Moore also being recognized for their outstanding achievements, by the nomination panel which consisted of the following people:

Elizabeth Fraser - Commissioner, for Children and Young People
Suzanne Dvorak - CEO, Save the Children Australia
Dianna Dawson -  CEO ,Motor Neuron Disease Association Qld
Karen Flanagan - Manager, Child Protection Technical Unit, SCA
Mrs Pat Burgess - President, National Council Women Queensland
Minister Phil Reeves - Minister, for Child Safety
Wendy Reid -  Executive Director, CEO Challenge
Jacqui Reed - CEO, CREATE Foundation
Kay McGrath - News Presenter, Channel 7
Marion Clarke - President, Branches Council Queensland
Louise Stephen Clayton - Utz

View photos from the day.

The History

This award was created in memory of Save the Children's founder, Eglantyne Jebb, who established Save the Children Australia 92 years ago in Queensland and originally in the UK in 1919.

To qualify as a recipient of the White Flame Award, nominees must emulate the qualities, passion and activities of Eglantyne Jebb. All nominees must be able to demonstrate examples of how they have displayed these qualities:

• Eglantyne was known as a woman who would not back down when faced with opposition.
• Eglantyne would go places others would dare not. 
• Eglantyne was driven to make significant changes to improve the lives and welfare of children. 
• Eglantyne inspired confidence in children, and encouraged change in the way people think about children and their rights.
• Download the formal selection criteria