Building hope and building stronger families
This year, 134 children and young people, including 40 identifying as Aboriginal, were supported through our foster care program, with 115 in General Care and 19 in Specialist Care.
We supported 94 foster care households, including 15 registered for both Specialist and General Care, with 462 respite and 44 emergency placements
We made 8,635 support contacts, including home visits, calls, SMS, and emails. We delivered 323 training sessions on key topics like Fostering Growth, First Aid, and Trauma-Informed Care.
We received 65 foster care enquiries through cinema ads, social media, pop-ups, and community outreach. To support our carers, we hosted 11 coffee mornings, launched a Foster Care Facebook Group, celebrated carers in local newspapers, and held special events like Aboriginal Art Day and group training on ADHD and care strategies.
We organised fun events to connect carers and children, including a Glow Party, train rides, swimming days, farm visits, and more. These efforts reflect our dedication to supporting carers and making a positive impact through foster care, reunification, and respite services.
Margie and Gary, unable to have children of their own, began their fostering journey over 30 years ago, eventually caring for more than 300 children in both short-term and respite foster care. Their dedication was rooted in a deep belief that every child deserves love and security. Despite the challenges, Margie and Gary provided a nurturing environment for every child that passed through their home.
Similarly, Wendy and Tony began fostering nearly 40 years ago, after their daughter brought home friends from school who needed a safe place to stay. Over the years, they fostered more than 330 children, often caring for up to 10 children at a time, while Tony worked away as an earthmover. Their commitment to providing stability and love made a lasting impact on the lives of many vulnerable children.
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Both couples were honoured for their exceptional service, with South Australian Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard praising their extraordinary generosity and dedication. The couples’ contributions have had a profound impact on the lives of countless children and young people, embodying the true spirit of foster care. Their legacy serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the powerful difference foster carers can make in transforming the lives of children in need.
Sonia and Brenton Smith, from Far North South Australia, have been dedicated foster carers since 2009. Driven by a deep desire to provide a safe and loving home, they have welcomed numerous children into their care. Reflecting on their journey, Brenton shared, “When we leave here, we know the children are safe, they’re comfortable, they’ve been loved.” Their commitment has had a profound impact on the lives of the children they have supported.
Maxine and Steve Bowden from Port Pirie were also recognised for their remarkable contributions to foster care. Maxine’s journey began over 40 years ago, inspired by her personal experience as a young mother in the 1960s, when she gave her first daughter up for adoption. This experience instilled in her a deep desire to give back to other families in need.
“My biggest driver was that there was a beautiful couple in this world that adopted my daughter when I couldn’t be there for her,” Maxine explained. “I wanted to give back because someone was there when I needed them.”
These awards highlight the extraordinary dedication of Sonia, Brenton, Maxine, and Steve in providing care, love, and stability to vulnerable children. Their unwavering commitment embodies the essence of foster care, and we are incredibly proud to have them as part of our community.
This initiative brought together our staff, carers, and children in a unique cultural experience that deepened our connection to Aboriginal cultures through the sharing of Dreamtime stories and artistic expression.
The collaborative art-making process fostered meaningful discussions about cultural heritage, identity, and community. The depth of cultural knowledge and the distinctive local artistic styles were beautifully woven into the artworks, highlighting the richness of Aboriginal traditions. This experience not only provided a platform for artistic expression but also served as a bridge for fostering greater understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultures.
By engaging in this creative endeavour, we reinforced our commitment to promoting inclusivity and cultural awareness within our organisation and the broader community. The event has become a catalyst for ongoing cultural dialogue, ensuring that the values of respect, diversity, and community engagement are at the forefront of our work.
The success of this initiative underscores the importance of art as a tool for connection and education. It has strengthened our resolve to continue building relationships with Aboriginal communities and to integrate cultural awareness into our practices, ensuring that we honour and celebrate the diverse heritage of the people we serve. Through this partnership, we have taken significant steps toward fostering a more inclusive and culturally aware environment.
