MEDIA RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
Foster carers the backbone of the child protection system
The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) has paid tribute to NSW’s
dedicated carers as the State prepares to celebrate Foster Care Week 2010, which
begins this Sunday, September 12.
Now into its 20th year, Foster Care Week highlights the valuable role of carers in
society and activities have been organised in communities across NSW to honour
their vital work.
ACWA CEO Andrew McCallum has described the state’s 9000 foster carers as the
backbone of the child protection system, saying they provide a warm, loving home for
the 16,500 children and young people currently in out-of-home care in NSW.
“The need for foster carers has never been more critical as the number of children
and young people entering the care system continues to grow,” Mr McCallum said.
“ACWA is very proud to recognise and celebrate the tremendous work they do, under
circumstances that at times cannot be easy.
“That is why it is so important carers receive the kind of quality support, guidance and
training that will ensure they are well equipped to meet the complexities and
challenges that come with this crucial community job.”
NSW Community Services Minister Linda Burney will officially open Foster Care
Week 2010 this Sunday at the annual Foster Care Week Carnival Day, to be held at
Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
Foster Care Week is an initiative of foster care agencies and carers in NSW and is
being co-ordinated by ACWA. Organisations supporting the week-long celebrations
include Community Services, the NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care
Secretariat (AbSec), Anglicare Sydney, Anglicare Canberra & Goulburn, Barnardos,
The Benevolent Society, CatholicCare, Connecting Carers, the CREATE Foundation,
the Foster Parents Support Network, Life Without Barriers, the NSW Office for
Children – the Children’s Guardian, Stretch-A-Family, UnitingCare Burnside and
Wesley Dalmar Child and Family Care.
For more information about this Sunday’s Foster Care Week Carnival, please
or contact ACWA’s Foster Care Week Coordinator Naomi Jackson on 02 9281
8822.
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Regional Foster Care Week 2010 Activities
Location
Date
Host Organisation
Contact
Wagga Wagga
September 9
Anglicare Canberra
& Goulburn
Vicki Taylor
02 6937 1555
0438 415 242
Gosford
September 12
Life Without
Barriers
Sean Cashin
02 4343 8800
Orange
September 12
Connecting Carers
Michael Harris
02 6369 1331
Wagga Wagga
September 12
Connecting Carers
Janet Moriarty
02 6926 3486
Grafton
September 16
St Joseph’s
Cowper Inc
Jacinda Willemse
02 6642 3022
Albury
September 17
Foster Care
Support
Diane Mathieson
0428 298 038
Dubbo
September 17
Connecting Carers
Jill De-ath
0448 450 964
Taree
September 24
Connecting Carers
Ken & Virginia
Raison
02 6556 9227
The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies is the New South Wales peak
body representing non-government organisations which provide services to
vulnerable children, young people and their families. The organisation has
been operating for over 50 years and is supported by more than 100 member
agencies.
MEDIA CONTACTS
For interviews please contact:
For all other media enquiries please contact:
Andrew McCallum
Libby McCalman
CEO, ACWA
Communications Officer, ACWA
Mob: 0409 221 414
Mob: 0418 659 525
E: andrew@acwa.asn.au
E: libby@acwa.asn.au
NEWS 
