Each year we celebrate the dedication, commitment and achievements of all foster and kinship carers in Queensland. We also award carers who have made extraordinary contributions to children and young people in care.
On 5 March 2012 the department hosted its 13th annual Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards and presented awards to seven Queensland foster and kinship carer families at a ceremony held at Parliament House. This year’s award winners highlight the exceptional and positive work our foster and kinship carers are doing for Queensland’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Since the introduction of the awards in 1999, foster and kinship carer families have been nominated by child safety service centres and non-government agencies in the department’s seven regions.
Recipients of these awards were selected on the basis of their dedication and commitment to the children and young people they care for, and for the inspirational example they set for other carers across the state.
The 2012 Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Award winners are:
-
Kellie Stephen - Far North Queensland Region
Kellie Stephen has been caring for a child since she came into her care almost nine years ago at the age of four. Kellie finds it a very rewarding experience for her whole family, including her husband and two sons.
Kellie works tirelessly and is committed to ensuring that the child, who has disabilities and health challenges, has a positive quality of life.
“I’d say to anyone who is thinking of become a foster parent to just go for it,” Kellie said.
-
Tamara and Kaden Napper - South East Queensland Region
Tamara and Kaden have been foster carers since 2006. They care for three children with disabilities and show outstanding passion and commitment to them, and they do this with the full support of extended family.
“Above all as a carer, there are the amazing times where we can celebrate the children's achievements with them, no matter how small they may seem,” Tamara said.
-
Melinda and Daniel Flynn - North Queensland Region
Melinda and Daniel have cared for 18 children since becoming foster carers in 2008. They are compassionate and supportive carers, providing significant emotional support to the children in their care. They continually give their time and love to the children, ensuring they have a chance at a better future.
“As a carer you sometimes have to make difficult decisions but ones which have the best interests and outcomes for the children, and this comes from the heart," Melinda said.
-
Kristen and Ben Warner - North Coast Region
Kristen and Ben cared for four Indigenous children from one family for two years until the children were reunited with their family late last year. They engaged with agencies within the Indigenous community to ensure the children maintained a strong sense of cultural identity, and Kristen and Ben are still actively involved in supporting the children and their family.
“It’s good to see the kids happily back with their family,” Kristen said.
-
Liz and John Allan - Brisbane Region
Liz and John are foster carers for seven children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Offering praise, support and guidance to each child in their care, they focus on the children’s education, self-worth and ambition, helping them shape brighter futures for themselves. A former child in their care describes them as family “for the rest of my life”.
“I got one little girl when she was three and she’s still with me at 23 years of age,” Liz said.
-
Kym Hudspith and Ann-Marie Hamilton - Central Queensland Region
Kym and Ann-Marie were the foster carers of a young baby from seven weeks until the age of two, when the child was reunited with his parents. Their commitment to the child’s emotional, physical and social needs was outstanding. They are nurturing, supportive and flexible carers, and still have a good relationship with the child and provide support to the parents when needed.
“Working toward reunification is both challenging and rewarding, with some unexpected benefits along the way. Enduring friendships have been formed from awkward and difficult beginnings, making fostering all the more worthwhile,” Kym said.
-
Sue and Keith Nutton - South West Queensland Region
Sue and Keith are foster carers who care for children with disabilities and high medical needs. Sue and Keith provide a loving and stable home environment and encourage the three children in their care to excel despite the challenges they may face. They have demonstrated exceptional skills at supporting children with complex needs, and view their role as foster carers as a unique privilege.
“Keith and I are a great team and we’ve been foster carers for nine years now. I’d tell anyone who is thinking of becoming a foster carer to just go for it as we just love it so much,” Sue said.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License