Foster Care Week 2026, held from 13 to 19 September, celebrated the extraordinary contribution of foster carers across Victoria and the care, stability and opportunities they provide to children and young people every day.
This year's theme, Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities. recognised the many ways foster carers make a difference, and the importance of the relationships, practical support and communities that sustain foster care.
It was wonderful to see the sector come together throughout Foster Care Week, with the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Children, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, foster care agencies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across Victoria recognising and celebrating foster carers and their extraordinary commitment to children in care.
Together, the sector embraced this year's theme, Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities. acknowledging the care, stability and opportunities foster carers provide, and the importance of supporting them in this vital role.
Foster Care Week is an important time to elevate the carer voice and build on sector engagement, to highlight advocacy priorities, and increase collaboration and partnerships for the shared aims of better support to home-based care, carers and children in care.
This is an opportunity to capitalise on the greater media and community awareness to promote foster carers, undertaking one of the most challenging but important volunteer roles in the community.
We hope carers were able to attend the carer appreciation events held by their agencies.
The FCAV was delighted to join carers, agencies and community members at events held across the state.
FCAV CEO Samantha Hauge attended the Mallee Family Care Carer Celebration Dinner in Swan Hill, spending time with foster carers, hearing their stories and celebrating their extraordinary contribution. Sam also joined Mallee Family Care staff for a coffee in their specially designed foster care takeaway cups. The speciality cups were served by local café’s to help raise awareness and spread the word about the vital role carers play.Â
FCAV also attended Meli's Foster a Future Breakfast in Geelong, a wonderful event hosted by Myf Warhurst and supported by the generosity of the Geelong community. Guests heard inspiring personal experiences from care leaver Ella Bone, foster carer Gemma Chanock and Meli Care Services Manager, Jo Dumesny, alongside keynote speaker and Olympic Champion, Brooke Hanson.
We thank Mallee Family Care and Meli for their generous invitations, and all the agencies and ACCOs who hosted events and activities, bringing carers together in recognition and appreciation of their contribution.
As part of Foster Care Week celebrations, the FCAV hosted its annual Carer Celebration & AGM on Friday 18 September at the Sofitel in Collins Street, bringing together foster carers, children in care, sector representatives and supporters to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contribution of Victoria's foster carers.
The warmth and appreciation in the room made for a memorable celebration, with carers enjoying the chance to connect, share experiences and be recognised among those who understand and value the commitment involved in fostering.
With thanks to our guests of honour, Victoria’s foster carers, some of whom travelled from border towns to join us. Thank you to Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Children; Nicole Werner MP, Shadow Minister for Children; Jamie Crosby, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare; Anne McLeish, Director, Kinship Carers Victoria and, Commissioner for Children, Tracy Beaton who joined us in celebrating Victoria’s foster carers.
We were thrilled to have Nartarsha Bamblett back this year to deliver a heartfelt and deeply personal Acknowledgement of Country, opening the celebration in a spirit of warmth, connection and mutual respect.
The FCAV's annual Foster Carer Awards and Commitment to Supporting Carers Awards recognise exceptional contributions to foster care, from the everyday dedication of carers to the people and organisations who go above and beyond to support them.
This year the awards ceremony provided a wonderful opportunity to come together, share stories, acknowledge outstanding contributions and celebrate the dedication, compassion and generosity that underpin foster care across Victoria.
Meet our 2026 award recipients and read their stories:
At the event, the FCAV launched its Carer Census Report 2026, presenting the findings of the latest biennial survey of Victoria's foster carers. The report provides valuable insights into carers' experiences, motivations, challenges and support needs, helping to inform the FCAV's ongoing advocacy for better support and outcomes for carers and children in care.
As Foster Care Week 2026 came to a close, the message remained one of gratitude, recognition and continued commitment to better support for carers and children.
To Victoria's foster carers, thank you for opening your doors and hearts, for the care you provide every day, and for the opportunities you help make possible.
Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities.
