Carer anniversaries
Congratulations and many thanks to…
Carers who have reached their FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of caring for Allambi Care
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Vicki Gould 2nd March 2026
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Jessica Kristensen 18th March 2026
Carers who have reached their ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of caring for Allambi Care
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Tracey & Jason Claridge 24th April 2026
Training with Grahame Williams - Secure versus Insecure Attachment Styles in Children in Care
An interested group of carers gathered at Macquarie Road training room to hear about the different types of attachment styles that our kids (and ourselves) have. As always, Grahame’s style of presentation was a mix of information and humour which makes learning easy. Here are some comments from the day.
“Grahame’s fun and informative attachment training gave us a greater understanding of how trust and relationship building is affected from birth.
Experiencing trauma, as our kids understandably have, creates attachment issues and we gained a deeper understanding of the why and how to better support the young person in our care.
We would recommend this as a relevant and very worthwhile course for all Carers -thank you”
- Heather & Pete
"This training will help you understand not only why certain behaviours repeatedly occur in the children we care for, but it will also arm you with the therapeutic tools necessary to slowly heal them. This process may take years, but these kids CAN learn to trust again. There is no quick fix and your efforts at times can seem fruitless, but one day when you least expect it, your child will gift you a glimmer of hope and leave you realising it was all worth the effort, because all of these kids are worth the effort."
- Sharnee
"Just wanted to say a big thank you for the opportunity to participate in the recent trauma informed care workshop focussing on attachment with children/young people in care.
This workshop gave me a better understanding developing healthy relationships in childhood through to adulthood based on the ‘ripple effect’ of attachment trauma experienced by many of the children that come into our care.
Understanding the science (brain) and unpacking the behavioural patterns better equips me to respond in a more constructive and positive way.
Additionally, the workshop also allowed me to reflect on my personal experience of attachment and how it has made me the person I am today. As a Carer, personal growth is always at the forefront of my life journey because, as they say, you can’t help others until you help yourself!!
Thanks for adding to my toolbox of resources that I can tap in to as a carer and for myself. I can’t recommend this workshop more highly for others."
- Sarah
Respite carer, rescue dog lover and crazy chook cuddler (all with their own individual and quirky attachment challenges!)
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This training will be held again as an online session on April 21st, 6.30pm to 8.30pm- see details below if you would like to attend.
Training Calendar for March, April & May
8th April – 10am to 1pm – FUN DAY at Blackbutt.
Join us for a day of fun at Blackbutt Reserve. We have booked the Creek Shelter and look forward to seeing you all. Snacks, drinks and a BBQ lunch will be provided. Come along and enjoy the company of other carers and kids as well as experiencing the animals and new amenities. RSVP by 02.04.2026
21st April – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Secure versus Insecure Attachment Styles in Children in Care
We all develop an attachment style, and children entering foster care are often prone to insecure attachment. How can we recognise their attachment patterns, and how can we support them to become “earned secure”? RSVP by 17.04.2026
23rd April – 10am to 12pm – Carer Catch Up Morning Tea
23rd April is the date for the second morning tea of the year held in our Treetops meeting room. We provide a space for carers to catch up with each other and enjoy a delicious morning tea from the café. There may be some activities that you can participate in or, you can just sit and relax. Come along and spend time with other Carers. RSVP by 17.04.2026
6th May – 6pm to 7pm – Carer Insight Hub RSVP by 01.05.2026
The Carer Insight Hub ensures that the voices of carers are heard, valued, and reflected in decisions
that affect Foster Carers, children, young people, and families connected to Allambi Care. It provides a structured and inclusive platform for Carers to:
• Share lived experiences and insights
• Inform and influence service design, delivery, and policy
• Advocate for carer needs and priorities
• Strengthen collaboration between carers and Allambi Care
If you would like to join the Hub, please contact mel.cumkovski@allambicare.org.au to register your interest and receive login details.
Have you joined our Facebook Group yet?
In today’s digital age, we know how important it is to stay connected—and that’s exactly why we’ve launched this page: to share news, updates, and opportunities in a way that reaches as many carers as possible, quickly and easily. This page will be one of our central hubs for:
- Upcoming events and training opportunities
- Important updates and news
- Resources, tips, and support to help you in your vital role
Please email mel.cumkovski@allambicare.org.au or lisa.mccarthy@allambicare.org.au so we can email you an invite link for the group.
Carer ID Card
Have you received you Carer ID card yet? If not, we need you to supply a head shot photo that you love to your Case worker, and we will do the rest. Handy for free parking at the John Hunter Hospital if you need to take your child or young person for treatment.
My Amazing ADHD Brain- part 2
We have a new resource on ADHD- My Amazing ADHD Brain by Emily Snape. Over the next few months, we will feature pages from the resource for you to read with your young person and perhaps develop new ways of living with ADHD.
⭐Click here to download the PDF.
Carers for Kids - Training Calendar - Feb-June 2026
Carers for Kids has many training opportunities available, and all training is free for authorised foster and kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents from out-of-home care.
Follow the link here for a calendar of what’s available.
Fostering & Permanency Notice Board
We now have a notice board up for us to display photos and art works of kids, Carers and Fostering & Permanency events. If you have some artwork from your child or young person or, if you have a photo of your child or young person that they would love to see displayed, please give it to your Case worker and we will put it on display.
Looking for activities to do in the holidays?
Wandiyali is running small group workshops on Clap stick making, Yidaki workshop and a Cultural excursion in the upcoming holidays.
If you have young people who would be interested in attending, email cultureteam@wandiyali.com.au for more information.
Click here to download the school holiday program.
Easy Easter baking to do with the kids!
CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG NESTS
INGREDIENTS
70grams/5 tablespoons unsalted butter
55grams/1/4 cup golden syrup
220grams milk chocolate
½ teaspoon salt
130grams/ 4cups cornflakes
Mini eggs/Easter sprinkles for decorating
METHOD
Step 1
Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Step 2
Melt butter and syrup in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, swirling the pan to help the mixture melt evenly, 2 to 2½ minutes. It should be slightly bubbling. Remove from the heat, then add the chocolate and salt. Stir until fully melted.
Step 3
Pour the cornflakes into the melted chocolate and stir until completely and evenly coated. Some of the cornflakes will break down; this is good and will help the texture of the final nests. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the mixture evenly among the lined muffin cups, pressing down the center of each. Go over each nest again, making a slight indent in the middle.
Step 4
Fill each nest with chocolate eggs. If your eggs are foil-covered, add them later so they don’t stick. Refrigerate to chill completely until each nest can be lifted out in one piece, about 1 hour. Don’t leave them in too long or they’ll set too hard.
Step 5
Serve in their paper liners, or remove the liners and put the nests directly on a plate. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.