A Knox family were acknowledged for years of work as foster carers last week in a special ceremony attended by Member for Aston, MP Mary Doyle.
Local Boronia Foster Carers, Amanda and Dean Collins, have been recognised for their work in supporting vulnerable children in the foster care system, winning the Tilly Aston Carer of the Year Award.
For 20 years, the Collins’ home has been a safe and supportive home for many of the community’s most vulnerable children and young people.
“They’re born into this situation, and they have it really tough, and I think that gave me a real soft spot,” said foster carer Amanda Collins.
Amanda and Dean were recognised for their capacity to go above and beyond.
At 55, Amanda said her husband Dean and her own four biological children are a huge support and essential to her, still caring after this long.
“I have a husband who’s prepared to support me in my calling,” she said.
Amanda said that fostering has had a positive impact on her family.
“As challenging as it has been over the years for my biological children, I believe it’s made my now adult children much more resilient and better human beings as a whole,” she said.
“They understand that sh*t happens in the world, and not everybody gets a good start – they just are very they’re caring and kind and good with children, and they’ll make great fathers.”
The awards, presented by Member for Aston, Mary Doyle MP, recognise those who have exhibited unparalleled dedication, exceptional leadership, and significant impact in their chosen field or community.
“It’s bought a lot of joy, it has bought tough times, frustrating times, difficult times, but adversity can add strength and resilience to your life as well. It’s not always a negative thing,” said Amanda.
Anchor CEO, Heidi Tucker said that the Collins are very deserving of the award win, saying that their home is a lifeline for vulnerable children and young people in the foster care system.
“The Collins’ work is a masterclass in creating a loving, safe and stable home,” she said.
When asked what drew her into becoming a carer, Amanda said she grew up listening to her own mother’s stories from her childhood.
“She had a very troubled childhood, and was in and out of orphanages and cared for by nuns at times,” she said.
“Listening to her stories of hardship and listening to how that’s affected her and her siblings has made me very empathetic to children who don’t have a say in their situation.”
She and her husband, Dean, began the process of becoming foster parents in 2005, already a big household with four kids of their own, with around one year of training and checks required to become accredited.
“You’ve got a say in what you are prepared to take on,” Amanda said.
The family have been busy ever since, with no day the same and Amanda said you can still work and have a full life whilst being a foster parent.
From short-term emergency fosters to longer-term stays with the family, Amanda said she has looked after over close to 100 children over the years.
Some children have been in and out of the Collins household for a long time, and the kids are always welcomed straight back, but not without challenges.
“We have one child who went home ten times in seven years, which was very, very difficult, extremely difficult,” said Amanda.
“He always came back to us,” she said.
“We’d have to start again with him and get him back into a routine and teach him things that unteaching.”
Ms Tucker said that so much of what foster carers do goes unseen and unrewarded, so it is brilliant to see Amanda and Dean recognised with this award win.
“They have created a home of true care and stability for so many children and young people in the foster care system,” she said.
As to becoming a foster carer, from a practical standpoint, you need training and a requirement for a bedroom dedicated to the child and Amanda said it’s more flexible than most people would think.
“So people tend to think I work, I’m too old, or I’m too busy, or I’ve got my biological children, I’ll wait till they’re grown, all those things don’t mean you can’t foster,” she said.
“You can foster when you’re single. You can foster as a couple – there are no limits to who can what you can provide and do.”
The Collins’ work is a great example of how people can make a difference as foster carers, at a time of increased need for people to step up and help.
“If you can’t take on a child, perhaps you could offer support or meals to someone you know who is a carer,” said Amanda.
Anchor supports people to begin their journey into becoming Foster Carers, offering flexible and dedicated staff who can help with all foster care enquiries.
Amanda still has friends she went through training with and the network provides the family with an essential support system, with the group supporting each other daily.
“I have the best foster care friends that have become lifelong friends,” said Amanda.
“They understand the system you’re working with and the frustrations behind it, and my friendships with them have been a huge bonus – I love them so much, I’m very lucky,” she said.
Self-care for a foster carer is tough, and Amanda said Victoria needs more carers, even for simple respite.
“Carers get burnt out,” she said.
Some children have come to the Collins’ house with added issues to contend with, from injuries acquired from abuse to developmental disabilities, which means more intensive care is required.
“I’ve picked up a newborn from the hospital, withdrawing from drugs with a fractured skull and a fractured leg, right through to, you know, a 16-year-old that is self-harming,” said Amanda.
“I’ve had every type of child I can think of,” she said.
Amanda said she worries for the future of orphans and that the number of people who are willing to foster is dwindling.
“The needs are becoming higher, there’s a lot more mental health, there’s a lot more drugs, and there’s a lot more domestic violence and things,” she said.
“At the end of the day, what is life about? You can’t take money with you, can’t take your car with you. You’re not gonna be able to take your house with you, but what you can take with you is your emotions and your feelings and what you’ve given to this world.”
“If everyone made a difference in just one child’s life, the world would be a better place.”
