News & Events

Celebrating our Foster Carers at Fort Scratchley

Written by Allambi | Oct 24, 2025 2:32:17 AM

Allambi Care celebrated our incredible foster carers with a special dinner at Fort Scratchley, recognising those who have dedicated over 5, 10, 15, and 20 years to caring for children and young people. The storm rolling across the bay felt symbolic, reflecting the many challenges our carers have faced and overcome with courage and dedication. Their calm, resilient and caring natures have been true ports in a storm for our kids, supported by the love of their homes and families. We are deeply inspired by the generosity of our foster carers’ hearts and their extraordinary capacity to nurture, protect and love the children who need them most.

Mel Weir, Program Manager, said, “We are so privileged to work with our carers. They are amazing people, and we love them. They do the job that some of us can’t do.”

Simon Walsh, CEO, spoke about how celebrating our foster carers is one of the most important things we can do. “Our relationship with our carers should be at the front of everything we do. They pour their hearts out every single day for our kids and for each other, and they are the most incredible people in the world.”

Cath, a carer for over 20 years, shared, “The opportunity to share the love that you have for your own kids with other kids who need it is amazing.” Thank you, Cath, for over twenty years of sharing that love.

We also heard from Louise and David, who have been caring for over 15 years. David remembered being concerned about how fostering would change the dynamics of their home and how it would affect their boys. They feel, and their boys agree, that they all learned from the experience and are stronger as a family. The learning and growing wasn’t always easy, but it has been a positive journey. Louise added, “I really love it. I would do more if I could. It’s enjoyable, and when the kids are there, they just want to be with you, so take a deep breath and enjoy it. It’s just fun!”

Brett, a carer for over 20 years, reflected that fostering has been like a traineeship in life. “Foster care gives you a lot, but it also gives your kids a lot.”

We thank the following carers for their years of service:

20 years

  • Brett Smith
  • Cath Smith
  • Elaine Ten-Bohmer

19 years

  • Helen Wills
  • Kendall Wills

18 years

  • Maria Pywell
  • Kevin Pywell

16 years

  • John Davidson
  • Louise Powers
  • Joy Davidson
  • David Powers
  • Lynette Quigley
  • Roger Quigley

15 years

  • Patricia Breaden
  • Peter Breaden
  • Lynne Hartigan
  • Beverley McHenry
  • Richard McHenry

14 years

  • Kate Davies
  • Daniel Wardle

13 years

  • Cathy Maughan
  • Greg Hayes

10 years

  • Gail Clark
  • Maree Dakin
  • Ron Dakin

9 years

  • Linda Deegan
  • Tony Deegan
  • Sue Neville
  • Querida Watson
  • Stephen Jenkins

8 years

  • Daniell Brock
  • Wendy Cavanagh
  • Brian Cavanagh
  • Nikki Harris
  • Sharnee Waugh

7 years

  • Julie Crowther
  • Jo Doherty
  • Ian Doherty
  • Kerren Hopkins
  • Samantha Mangan
  • Haley Paton
  • Matthew O’Loughlin
  • Kayla Purdy
  • Michael Purdy
  • Elizabeth Starling
  • Leah Wilson-Temple
  • Matt Temple
  • Cody Williams

6 years

  • Chris Adney
  • Chantal Adney
  • Shannon Baker
  • Simon Baker
  • Felicity Fairley
  • David Irwin
  • Lisa Ramsay
  • Lynne Lubbock
  • John Lubbock
  • Karen Madden
  • Shelley Sneath
  • Michael Butler
  • Virginia Spence

5 years

  • Kylie Alderdice
  • Geoff Alderdice
  • Melanie Bean
  • Michale Bean
  • Sarah Campbell
  • Vicki Duff
  • Bernadette Flynn
  • John Flynn
  • Andrew Poile
  • Letitia Poile
  • Brad Newton
  • Rowena Wensley