Foster carers make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and young people, opening their homes, hearts, and lives to provide safety, stability, connection, and care.
This year’s theme, Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities, was a reminder of the difference foster carers make by opening their homes, their lives and their opportunities to children and young people.
Congratulations to our 2026 Foster Carer Award winners!
Samantha Canobio – Key Assets and Laura Gee – Anglicare Victoria
A special thank you to our FCAV Foster Care Ambassadors, Fiona and Michael te Wierik, for presenting this year's awards and for their ongoing generosity and commitment to recognising and celebrating Victoria's foster carers.
Laura Gee was described by a nominator as:
“Giving children more than care. She gives them a place to feel safe, a person to trust and a home they carry in their hearts”.
She consistently steps forward for children who need her most – welcoming children in crisis, providing emergency and respite care, caring for babies discharged from the hospital, and supporting children with complete medical, emotional and behavioural needs. She doesn’t choose the easy path; she chooses the child.
She notices what children need and does whatever it takes to help them. A clear testament to her impact came when a young child, after experiencing multiple placement breakdowns, was given the opportunity to return to their care. When the car arrived at her home, the child jumped out and ran straight into her arms. She knew she was home. That moment captured that she creates more than a placement, she creates safety, belonging and a lasting sense of home. Congratulations Laura.
[pictured right: Laura with FCAV Foster Care Ambassadors, Fiona and Michael te Wierik]
Samantha “Sam” Canobio, was described by a nominator as:
“The voice for the kids that she never had”.
She opened her home to children with complex needs, providing long-term, respite and emergency care while adapting her parenting to meet each child where they are. Her approach is grounded in patience, understanding and a determination to see the child behind the behaviour.
She advocates relentlessly, navigating systems, seeking diagnoses, accessing specialist education and services, ensuring the children in her care receive the support they need to thrive.
One child who came into her care unable to walk and non-verbal is now running, riding a bike and communicating. A powerful example of what can be possible when a child has someone who believes in them and refuses to stop advocating. Congratulations Sam.
We were thrilled to celebrate all foster carers who were nominated for the 2026 Foster Carer Awards. Every nomination tells a story of compassion, commitment, and the positive impact a foster carer has made, and we are so grateful to everyone who took the time to recognise a remarkable carer.
Congratulations to the other 2026 shortlisted finalists:
Natasha and Kristian Austin
Lee-Anne Betteridge & Greg Smith
Emily and Peter Hough
Julie Wilding
And to every foster carer who was nominated, whether you made the shortlist or not, your nomination is a wonderful recognition of the difference you make. You should all be incredibly proud of the role you play in the lives of children and young people.
