2024 JC Butler Award Winners – Bethany Jinks and Travis Chalk-Hatton

Congratulations to Bethany Jinks and Travis Chalk-Hatton, winners of OzChild’s 2024 JC Butler Award.    

Embodying the virtues of this award: commitment, dependability, creativity and compassion, this young couple have demonstrated an exemplary level of dedication, going above and beyond to provide support that is child-centred and trauma-informed.  These young carers have provided support and care, creating a loving and stable home for one of their younger half-siblings.

Navigating the impacts of significant childhood trauma, in addition to a range of demands including full-time work, and most recently a newborn child of their own, the commitment of these carers has never faltered; continuing to manage therapies, extracurricular activities and provide additional support necessary for their younger brother.  

Their commitment and compassion have not only helped the young person in their care to excel and flourish but also resulted in an extraordinary bond, which is evident for all to see.

Well done Bethany and Travis, and thank you for all you do!

About the JC Butler Award

This award acknowledges the role of our kinship carers in the spirit of JC Butler, a founding father of OzChild.

JC was very concerned for the changing social mores in Victoria in the 1920’s and could see the breakdown of families, not just poverty, was creating a new cohort of children in need. Understanding the power of family, he lobbied hard to support the establishment of the widow’s pension so mothers could afford to keep children in the home.

Through this award – JC Butler’s values are still evident through the work of our organisation and the dedication and commitment of our kinship carers.