Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge and pay tribute to foster carers and thank them for their commitment to provide a safe, secure and loving environment to the Central Coast's most vulnerable children. Currently, on the Central Coast there are around 82,000 children between zero and 19 years. Community services have 15,000 child protection reports pertaining to these children and over 4,000 children have been identified at significant risk of harm.

Last month, I was privileged to attend the foster carers picnic at Camp Toukley in my electorate of Dobell. On the day, I met with many foster carers and children who shared their personal stories with me. The commitment of the carers to the children in providing a stable, secure and loving environment has a monumental impact on the lives of many children. The day was hosted by Interagency and Fostering NSW to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable work of our foster carers across the Central Coast.

I acknowledge and thank the following organisations for their support of the children and their foster carers: Lutanda Camp Toukley, Life Without Barriers, Barnardos Australia, The Salvation Army, CatholicCare, Challenge Community Services, NSW Family and Community Services, Northlakes Toukley Rotary; Children's Services, Connecting Carers NSW, Wesley Dalmar, House with No Steps and Phoenix Rising for Children. To each and every one of these organisations, I thank them for their commitment to our community on the Central Coast in assisting foster carers and the foster carers' families. They do a wonderful job. To all foster carers, thank you for everything you do for these kids.