Foster carers honoured
Minister visits Toowoomba to say thank you to everyday heroes
Photo: Tobi Loftus
THEY are the every day heroes that are often overlooked by society. The women and men who take on the call to be foster carers and look after some of our most disadvantaged youth.
Dawn Neal has worked as a foster carer on and off since 1982, fostering 40 children in that time.
“I gave it up in 2000, but then my daughter was killed just before she got married, her and her fiancé were killed, then my husband died and I thought I’d take it up again as something to do, instead of just sitting at home and doing nothing,” she said.
“I’ve got a property, I couldn’t just sit and look at four walls. I just love children so now I stay home and look after the children.”
She said the foster care system was very important for families who just can’t at the time care for their children.
“The children get to go into a family environment,” she said.
“I hope they go a good start in life.”
Mrs Neal was one of 11 sets of Tooowoomba-based foster carers who received a personal thank you from Child Safety Minister Di Farmer last week.
“These eleven sets of foster carers between them have racked up more than 110 years of caring,” Ms Farmer said.
“That’s 110 years of being someone who makes a profound difference in the lives of Queensland children.
“They are dedicated, passionate and most of all they provide a loving, stable home for children who can no longer live safely at home with their own families.”