For nearly four decades, caring for children has been the rhythm of Janet’s life. After 39 years as a foster carer, she can look back and see how each child, each challenge, and each joyful moment has shaped who she is today.
When her husband Gordon passed away last year, the house felt unbearably quiet, but fostering continued to give her a reason to get up each morning, to keep going, and to keep giving. It has always been her purpose.
Long before she opened her home to foster children, the seeds of caring had already been planted. Growing up, her parents often welcomed children from the Ballarat Orphanage during the holidays, offering them a safe place to stay and a sense of belonging. That early exposure taught her something powerful: that a safe, loving environment, even for a short time, can change a child’s life.
Years later, while Janet and Gordon were busy working on their farm and their youngest child started school, the house suddenly felt too quiet, too large, too empty. Janet brought up the idea of fostering, and Gordon agreed immediately. They had always known there were children who needed somewhere safe to stay. Opening their home felt natural, an extension of the values they both carried.
Over the years, Janet and Gordon have looked after countless children. One arrived at the age of twelve and never truly left; at thirty-six, they are still part of the family. Another was a baby born with serious heart issues. They cared for the tiny child through openheart surgery while supporting the baby’s young mother, who was estranged from her own family. With patience and guidance, Janet helped the mother reconnect with her own mum and dad. In time, the young woman regained stability, and the baby returned home, healthy, thriving, and surrounded by family. Moments like that, she says, are what make her proudest.
Fostering hasn’t been without its challenges. The hardest part, Janet explains, is earning a child’s trust.
No matter how experienced you are, no matter how many years you’ve spent caring, trust can’t be rushed. But when a young person finally lets you in, when you see their shoulders drop, their smile soften, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings in the world.
So much has changed since she first became a carer. Training is more intensive now, which she sees as a good thing, and the support from the team is stronger than ever. She adores the staff who are always ready to listen or offer advice. Not a fan of online training, Janet much prefers meeting other carers facetoface, but she understands that some things simply have to be done.
What hasn’t changed is her belief in community and connection. At her Bridge club, everyone knows about the children she cares for; they always ask how the kids are going. And just last month, she took two children on a road trip to Queensland to visit family, a journey she knows will become a treasured memory for them all.
Caring definitely runs in the family. One of Janet’s daughters has become a foster carer in Queensland, something that fills her with delight. It proves that love, once given freely, has a way of passing from one generation to the next.
And that, she says, is the heart of it all: fostering allows her to volunteer her love and energy. It’s rewarding, meaningful, and full of moments that stay with you forever.