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:
Kate Davies – 14 years
Daniel Wardle – 14 years
Cathy Maughan – 13 years
Greg Hayes – 13 years
Gail Clark – 10 years
Maree Dakin – 10 years
Ron Dakin – 10 years
Linda Deegan – 9 years
Tony Deegan – 9 years
Sue Neville – 9 years
Querida Watson – 9 years
Stephen Jenkins – 9 years
Daniell Brock – 8 years
Wendy Cavanagh – 8 years
Brian Cavanagh – 8 years
Nikki Harris – 8 years
Sharnee Waugh – 8 years
Julie Crowther – 7 years
Jo Doherty – 7 years
Ian Doherty – 7 years
Wendy Hoey – 7 years
Lawrence Hoey – 7 years
Samantha Mangan – 7 years
Haley Paton – 7 years
Matthew O’Loughlin – 7 years
Kayla Purdy – 7 years
Michael Purdy – 7 years
Elizabeth Starling – 7 years
Leah Wilson-Temple – 7 years
Matt Temple – 7 years
Cody Williams – 7 years
Chris Adney – 6 years
Chantal Adney – 6 years
Shannon Baker – 6 years
Simon Baker – 6 years
Felicity Fairley – 6 years
Hayley Dibley – 6 years
David Irwin – 6 years
Lisa Ramsay – 6 years
Lynne Lubbock – 6 years
John Lubbock – 6 years
Karen Madden – 6 years
Shelley Sneath – 6 years
Michael Butler – 6 years
Virginia Spence – 6 years
Kylie Alderdice – 5 years
Geoff Alderdice – 5 years
Melanie Bean – 5 years
Michale Bean – 5 years
Sarah Campbell – 5 years
Bernadette Flynn – 5 years
John Flynn – 5 years
Vicki Duff – 5 years
Andrew Poile – 5 years
Letitia Poile – 5 years
Brad Newton – 5 years
Rowena Wensley – 5 years
The Foster Care Awards Night was a fitting tribute to our amazing foster carers resilience, strength and longevity. Watch the video to hear what people had to say on the night.