DEDICATION: Cindy Driver’s 15 years of dedication to foster care was recognised by ac.care Mount Gambier foster care manager Sherri Winter at an SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week function at the Limestone Coast Pantry on Thursday.
DEDICATION: Cindy Driver’s 15 years of dedication to foster care was recognised by ac.care Mount Gambier foster care manager Sherri Winter at an SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week function at the Limestone Coast Pantry on Thursday.

MOUNT Gambier’s Cindy Driver stopped counting how many children she had welcomed into her home as a foster carer when she reached the number of 25.

But when recognised last week as part of SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week by ac.care for 15 years of foster caring, she said the connections she had formed with young people added purpose and value to her life.
“I couldn’t have children of my own, but had helped care for my nieces with my brother and when they left town I felt a little empty nested so, realising how many children needed care, this was my way of filling that empty nest and contributing,” she said.
Ms Driver has provided short-term, long-term and emergency care over the years, currently focusing on respite to support other carers.
Many children she cared for are now adults, but she welcomes ongoing supportive relationships, including with a young woman she helped raise from the age of 9 who is now a mother and continues to connect.
Carers were recognised at a function held by ac.care at the Limestone Coast Pantry on Thursday.
“All our carers make a remarkable contribution to supporting vulnerable young people by opening their hearts and homes, whether it is for overnight emergency stays or through to long-term commitments to raising a child to adulthood,” ac.care Limestone Coast foster care manager Sherri Winter said.
“Without our network of carers, these children who are unable to live with birth parents would not be able to remain in our community or have the love and support of a family-based placement.”
Ms Winter urged anyone who had considered becoming a foster carer, whether long-term or to join the agency’s emergency or respite network, to find out more online or by calling 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273).

Fostering brings children into Wendy’s life

PENOLA retiree Wendy Hollick became a foster carer 10 years ago when she was not expecting to become a grandmother, but wanted to remain involved with children after previously working as a school teacher.
She has treasured the connections she has formed with children as a respite carer, welcoming children into her home for short visits to provide their regular carers with a break from fostering responsibilities.
“I think a lot of people believe that if they were asked to foster a child it is all about long-term and they don’t understand there is the opportunity to have a child for a day or night a month or even less frequently as a respite carer,” she said.

“I thought it was something I could do to have a connection with children and as a respite carer you can manage placements around when you are available.”

Ms Hollick has valued opportunities to provide what are often seen as everyday activities for children she has welcomed into her care, finding they have sometimes been new and meaningful life experiences for the youngsters.
“It is lovely just to provide ordinary life experiences for a child, like going to the library or a sports match or cooking scones, a cake or dinner together – that’s something we often do,” she said.
“Some of the children are regularly in households with a number of children where it is easier for the adult to cook for everyone, but when you have a visit from a child or two you can really dedicate time to doing something special with them and share some life skills.”
Ms Hollick said her pets – a dog and a cat – also enjoyed the company and attention of visiting children, who doted over and interacted with the animals.
Her connections have often extended beyond the time children are in her care, with positive relationships continuing as young people have become adults and even parents themselves.
She continues to catch up with young adults who were previously in care, helping with study and remaining connected, and enjoys watching children she has cared for compete in sports at weekends.
“That can be a lot of fun and exciting and it is lovely when young people appreciate you being in their lives,” Ms Hollick said.
Ms Hollick’s 10 years of service as a foster carer was recognised at ac.care’s SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week morning tea at the Limestone Coast Pantry on Thursday.
DECADE OF DEVOTION: Penola’s Wendy Hollick continues to welcome children into her home for short stays as a respite foster carer. Her 10 years of service was celebrated by placement support worker Emily Wastell during SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week.
DECADE OF DEVOTION: Penola’s Wendy Hollick continues to welcome children into her home for short stays as a respite foster carer. Her 10 years of service was celebrated by placement support worker Emily Wastell during SA Foster and Kinship Carers Week.

Find out more about foster care

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Seek Help