A big thank you to the organisers of Fair Day and all those who attended our Fair Day event on Sunday, 15 February. The day was filled with community spirit, and the Barnardos Carer Recruitment team registered 18 potential foster carers and spoke to dozens more 💚.
It was also heart warming to see many of .our foster carers with children enjoying the day, and to reconnect with families created through adoption with Barnardos. Barnardos welcomes foster carers and prospective adoptive parents from the LGBTQIA+ community, so if you missed us at Fair Day, please contact our Carer Enquiry Team on 1800 663 441 or email wecare@barnardos.org.au.
We are thrilled to announce the release of Barnardos Annual Review 2024-2025.
For over 100 years, we’ve listened, acted and advocated for children’s safety. This year, we chose to be Fearlessly Optimistic.
Launched last night at our AGM, the Annual Review reflects this mission, sharing stories from our partners, supporters, team members and most importantly, the children and families we stand alongside every day.
With rising demands our work has never been more necessary. But together, we can create a brighter future for all children 💚
*Main image Sydney youth street workers Yousif Tamim and Taylor Gleeson like to meet young people on their level. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)
Some of Sydney’s vulnerable young people are being steered away from a life of crime, addiction and homelessness by a pair of youth workers who have had their own share of hardships.
Yousif Tamim and Taylor Gleeson spend their evenings visiting suburban shopping centres, skate parks and train stations, trying to connect with young people.
As street youth workers employed by the charity Barnardos, the pair spend very little time in an office, instead opting to meet young people “on their turf, on their terms”.
Forging ties with African youth
In Sydney’s multicultural south-west, at-risk youth have often slipped between the cracks due to cultural and language barriers.
That’s something Yousif is determined to change.
Growing up in South Sudan, he moved to Perth in his late teens, where he began to learn English.
Now, he speaks five languages — English, Arabic, Denka, Farsi and Swahili.
Barnardos youth worker team, including Taylor and Yousif, with manager Vik Craig. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)
Yousif’s move to Sydney in 2022 proved to be a boon for the Barnardos team — manager Vik Craig, who has worked in the sector for 30 years, said he had turned a decades-long trend around.
“I would say we had a handful of African clients before Yousif started with us. Since then, we’ve had a 30-fold increase,” Mr Craig said.
“At any given moment, if you were to spend enough time at our outreach centre, you would see three or four African young boys that would be here waiting for Yousif to finish with his clients because they wanted to see him.”
One of them — a 15-year-old — has dropped by to see Yousif at the outreach centre in Belmore, and reports that he’s been improving his attendance at school.
“He’s doing well. I’m encouraging him to finish Year 10. He’ll listen to me, of course,” Yousif said.
Yousif’s ability to build such bonds is on full display when he’s out of the office, hitting the streets during his outreach work.
Tackling fines to avoid crimes
The street team uses the skate park to engage with young people. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
While doing a late-afternoon walk with Taylor through Belmore, he stops to chat to a trio of teenage boys.
One of the boys is well-known to the team — after a stint in juvenile detention, he sought help to get back on his feet.
Alongside him are a friend and a cousin, who suggest they might need help paying off some fines.
This is a common problem — many young people they meet have accrued fines for fare evasion, while others are court-ordered fines.
The fines often total in the thousands — $35,000 in the case of one young person Yousif has been helping.
Yousif tries to turn at-risk Sydney young people away from a life of crime. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
“So some of these boys, they’re fines from when they were in high school and then, because they don’t pay them, they accrue, and they build interest,” he said.
Too often, it can be tempting to commit crimes for “easy money” to pay off the fines.
NSW Police recently expressed concern that teenagers were being recruited at increasingly younger ages by organised crime groups.
Yousif’s job is to convince these young people that there is a better option.
He often drives young people to appointments that could help keep them out of jail — as part of what’s known as a Work Development Order, which helps young people clear unpaid fines with approved activities.
Reducing the risk of drug-related harm
At a skate park in the city’s inner south, where Yousif and Taylor host a weekly barbecue, a group of teenagers is smoking marijuana on the evening the ABC came along.
The pair is delicate about raising the issue of drug use in these conversations.
“Here’s not a good time, so I will give them my number,” he said.
Yousif’s move to Sydney in 2022 proved to be a boon for the Barnardos team. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
Then, once a rapport is established, they’ll often refer a young person to the appropriate person for support — such as a drug and alcohol counsellor, or a housing support worker.
But they’re able to offer more immediate support if the drug use is putting the young person at risk.
On hand is a pack of clean needles, along with supplies of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, which they are trained to provide if a person is experiencing an opioid overdose.
From young client to youth worker Taylor says she was once a disengaged youth. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
When sparking up a conversation with young people on the streets, Taylor and Yousif first ask whether they would prefer to deal with a male or female worker.
If it’s a skate park, Taylor lets Yousif “go for gold,” but she will often take the lead in other settings, such as shopping centres.
Her career in youth work has brought her full circle — in her teens, she was amongst the clients seeking support at the Belmore community centre.
“I just never went to school, I probably went a couple of days a week, I was very disengaged,” she said.
Raised by a single parent in public housing, Taylor has reflected that she “didn’t really have a lot going on at home” and struggled with mental health challenges.
Yousif and Taylor have been praised for forging connections. (ABC News: Greg Bigelow)
“I’m a little bit rough around the edges, but that’s OK, I kind of view it as my strength,” she said.
“I think being authentic is really important. Young people can tell that you’re being fake from a mile away.”
And Taylor — much like Yousif — has drawn praise from Mr Craig for forging connections with under-served communities.
“I think young women’s voices sometimes are seldom heard, particularly on the streets,” Mr Craig said.
We are thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s NAIDOC Week Aboriginal Art Competition Winner – Latrell Bawurra, age 11!
Latrell’s powerful artwork captures the theme of strength, legacy, and the next generation. At the heart of his painting is a central meeting place, symbolising where generations come together to share knowledge and continue the cultural legacy of their people.
We received 15 entries from across our network, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to the case managers, teams, and centres who rallied around this initiative. Your support made this a meaningful opportunity for the children and young people we work with.
Latrell was incredibly proud to share his win with his community, even offering to share his prize with his brothers. His Learning Centre group was so supportive and thrilled for him, and we’re all excited to see him even more inspired to continue creating art.
Latrell’s Artwork Story:
“The meeting in the middle of my painting represents strength, legacy, and the next generation. It shows the generations at a meeting place, sharing knowledge, and continuing the legacy of our culture. The four areas show different aspects of our culture that help our community learn, pass on knowledge, and stay strong.
For example, the bottom area represents water and life, the two green sections represent the plants and animals of Country, while the top represents the night sky with the Ancestors continuing to watch over us. The four wavy lines represents the earth, and the middle of the meeting place shows the fire at the centre. Different layers of colours represent different generations.”
Latrell’s piece is a beautiful reminder of the power of culture, community, and connection. Congratulations, Latrell! Your artwork inspires and honours the spirit of NAIDOC!
What’s Next?
To celebrate and honour Latrell’s work, his artwork will be added automatically to all Barnardos email signatures across the organisation. This ensures we carry the spirit of NAIDOC Week with us every day, visibly and proudly.
Hi, I’m Gina Johnson, the Program Manager for Family Support Programs, including the DV Linker Program and the DFSV Specialist Caseworker Program in Western NSW. I have confidently taken on the role of Program Manager since 2022, after acting in this role the previous year.
I lead an exceptional team spanning Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Gilgandra, Coonabarabran, Mudgee, and Wellington. I am proud of their remarkable work with children and families in their communities, and I am consistently inspired by their impact. Their passion and creativity in building connections with families and communities fuel my commitment to support, advocate for, and empower them.
My journey with Barnardos began in 2010, and over the years, I have built a strong foundation for my career. After 13 years as a Preschool Educator, I embraced a new challenge as a Family Support Worker with Barnardos in Gilgandra. There, I successfully initiated Supported Playgroups in the local government area, where I engaged with parents and emphasized the importance of early childhood. I ensured that these connections were not only meaningful but also fun and enriching, reinforcing the sense of community. My experiences also include roles as a Brighter Futures Caseworker and a Team Leader.
My passion for early childhood education has been a constant throughout my life. Growing up, I always aspired to be a nanny, and I had the opportunity to fulfill that dream for a time. This fueled my desire to continue my education, leading me to work at the Gilgandra Community-Based Preschool.
My proudest achievement at Barnardos is the invaluable connections I have forged with children, families, leaders, and colleagues. These relationships have equipped me with a wealth of skills, techniques, and knowledge, and I learn something new every day from those around me.
I deeply admire Barnardos vision and unwavering commitment to supporting families and children. As a leader, I am dedicated to empowering my team to showcase their unique strengths and expertise with confidence. Together, we will ensure that children and families feel happy, safe, heard, accepted, and truly valued.
Thursday 22 May 2025 | 10am – 1pm | Shellharbour Civic Centre
Families with young children are invited to celebrate connection, culture, and community at Shellharbour Communities for Children’s KidsFest Picnic and Play Day, part of KidsFest Shellharbour 2025.
Presented by Shellharbour Communities for Children in collaboration with Shellharbour City Council and KidsFest Shellharbour the event will be held on Thursday 22 May from 10am to 1pm at the Yirran Muru Playspace, Shellharbour Civic Centre.
This free event is designed especially for children aged 0–5 years and their families.
This year’s KidsFest theme, “Connecting to Country – Growing Peace & Trust,” links with the United Nations International Year of Peace and Trust, and will be brought to life through an exciting program of hands-on activities that celebrate children’s curiosity, culture, and creativity.
Families can expect more than 25 engaging experiences, including:
Aboriginal cultural activities to foster understanding and connection to Country
Storytime sessions, bush craft, loose parts play, art and craft
Music-making, nature play and sensory experiences
These experiences are designed to inspire play and learning that families can recreate at home. All families attending will receive a free swag bag, including a storybook to take home.
Finally, for the first time in 2025, KidsFest Picnic and Play Day will also feature:
A dedicated sensory space hosted by Big Fat Smile, supporting children with diverse needs
A free vaccination clinic thanks to Healthy Cities Australia in partnership with NSWHealth
Expanded Aboriginal Cultural Activities, strengthening connection to local knowledge and Country.
You might be new to the ‘back-to-school’ routine, or you might be a seasoned prepper, but for so many families, the summer holidays and start of the new school year often means a blowout in family budgets to cover extra expenses such as new school uniforms and shoes, equipment and activities.
The cost of living has been front of mind for several years now, but we don’t often look at how it impacts children. In Barnardos Australia long experience parents who are struggling financially try and protect their children from the worry of ‘not enough money’ however we also know that children feel the stress of feeling different to their peers. Beyond the immediate impacts, childhood poverty can also increase social isolation when money can’t be found for participation in extra-curricular activities and community events.
Being a federal election year, 2025 brings the promise of more discussion about family budgets and the cost of living. It’s a discussion worth having, and while immediate relief is welcome, one-off rebates and discounts are not going to change much for the three quarters of a million Australian children currently living in poverty.
Solving, or at least alleviating childhood poverty, is challenging but possible. While every family has a different story about how they arrived at a point of crisis, the challenges they face to move beyond crisis remain the same. Whether it’s job losses, illness, death of a parent or domestic violence, the challenges of keeping a roof over your head and feeding your family are increasingly steep.
Barnardos Australia has supported thousands of families facing crises like these over the past two years, in ever widening debt traps to cover essential food, electricity or medical costs. We know these parents work hard to protect their children from feeling the pressure by skipping meals themselves and going without. But, when it comes time to celebrate a child’s birthday, participate in a school holiday activity or buy a new school uniform, there is simply no room to move – children miss out.
Being poor is hard work, and families are forced to make impossible choices. Barnardos Australia can offer practical support by providing food/bill relief, negotiating with landlords, liaising with schools about uniform and equipment costs, supporting child health assessments and providing the occasional birthday present. Having someone to support you through a crisis is priceless. Equally, leaving children to face the ongoing impacts of poverty is costly, and risky.
We all share the responsibility for responding with a human lens to challenges facing families and children and the long-term implications. It can be all too easy to forget that the impact of child poverty has a long tail into adulthood, and disadvantage for the whole of life. This may not happen for every child, but it continues to happen for too many. The missed opportunities of childhood can compound into lack of educational opportunity and ongoing employment difficulties, chronic physical and mental health problems, and severe social isolation and disadvantage.
Solutions like raising the rate of income support so necessities are affordable, building more affordable and social housing, and providing expanded pregnancy and early childhood support are not new, and so badly needed for children in struggling families. Providing for children’s safety and future success is both an ethical and an economic necessity.
Like many other parents and grandparents, my wish for the new school year is that every child has a positive year full of discovery and optimism. And Barnardos Australia wants this commitment from all levels of Australian government, and all Australians, in 2025. #ChampionsforChildren #MakingChildrenVisible Champions – Barnardos Australia
Our Penrith and South Coast Children’s Family Centres are growing kitchen gardens, giving children, young people, and families the opportunity to get their hands dirty and develop an appreciation of fresh, seasonal food.
The Penrith Centre also has chickens! A fun way to get the kids involved and teach them about responsibility. By educating families about sustainable living, not only are we encouraging healthy food choices, but we are also highlighting how growing your own food can be cost-effective, especially during a time where many vulnerable families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
More recently, Barnardos was the proud recipient of a CitySwitch Champion Award for our efforts in recycling and reducing waste. While there were many organisations at the ceremony that received this award, Barnardos was the only charity amongst the recipients. A great recognition of the work we have been doing across the organisation with our sustainability initiatives.
The bigger picture here is about working towards building resilience and sustainability into Barnardos. Renewable energy saves us money, reduces our carbon footprint, and demonstrates an actionable contribution to achieving decarbonisation, which is essential for a liveable planet for generations to come. By continuing to take positive actions across the entire organisation and maintaining accountability, Barnardos can work towards a brighter future for all.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful annual reminder of the critical work required to prevent violence against women and children. This year, Barnardos Australia joins the global campaign to shed light on the devastating impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) on our youngest and most vulnerable – children.
In 2024, Australia continues to grapple with the heartbreaking reality of children being killed or left without parents due to domestic violence. Over 50 children have died or suffered irreparable harm within the context of domestic violence* this year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and even more children left behind.
Children are often overlooked in discussions about domestic violence. Yet, they are deeply affected, not only as witnesses to violence but also as direct victims. Many are left behind, losing their mothers and sometimes their fathers to domestic violence murders. The emotional scars can last a lifetime, manifesting as mental health challenges, developmental delays, and a heightened risk of perpetuating or becoming victims of violence in adulthood.
DFV does not discriminate against socio-economic boundaries, cultures, or postcodes. It calls for a collective acknowledgment that domestic violence is not a private issue but a societal crisis requiring urgent attention.
The 16 Days of Activism is a vital opportunity for all of us to reflect on our roles in preventing violence. This is not solely the responsibility of governments, law enforcement, or child protection agencies. It is a responsibility we all share – as neighbours, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members.
At Barnardos Australia we believe that every Australian has a role in ending this cycle of violence. Whether it is by challenging harmful gender norms, supporting survivors, or speaking out when we suspect abuse, action is essential.
This year, Barnardos Australia is dedicating the 16 Days to raising awareness about how domestic violence impacts children. Through our social media, community events, and sector partners, we aim to ensure children are at the forefront of discussions about family violence. Our mission is to amplify their voices and advocate for systems that prioritise their safety and well-being.
Ending domestic violence may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but it is possible. It begins with acknowledging the issue, supporting survivors, and committing to systemic change. We can honor the memories of children lost to domestic violence by working tirelessly to protect those who remain.
During these 16 Days of Activism, let us all commit to being part of the solution. By working together, we can create a future where every child feels safe, loved, and valued.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call 000 or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support.
The Barnardos AGM was held last night in Sydney. The proceedings commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country by one of our Board Directors, Associate Professor A/Prof Rick Macourt.
Our Chair Janett Milligan and CEO Deirdre CHEERS then each gave an informative and heartfelt wrap-up of the year, highlighting our achievements in supporting children and families in the face of the cost of living and housing crisis. Janett also launched “A brighter future” our Annual Review 2023-2024 and “A brighter Barnardos” our Strategic Directions 2025-26.
Four Board Directors: Wendy Glasgow, Racheal Kellaway, Gareth Chegwidden and Susan Heward-Belle were re-elected for a further term. We said farewell to retiring Director Julia Davenport, GAICD who was honoured for serving 6 years on the Board.
The Louise Voigt Award to support the ongoing professional development for Barnardos Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees was presented to Shannon Smith, Care Support worker in ACT.
In a very moving acceptance speech, Shannon referred to studying social work as a “dream come true” and received a standing ovation from the audience. Shannon, an artist in her own right presented Barnardos with a beautiful Aboriginal artwork that she had painted. The artwork represents Family, Connection and Identity.
Mark Worthington, CEO of the Australian Mutual Bank and Director of the Australian Mutuals Foundation which is a Premium Partner of Barnardos, spoke about what it means for his organisation to be a Barnardos Corporate Partner and how much his employees gain from their involvement with Barnardos.
Three long-standing employees were acknowledged for their service, Suzanne Bush (Regional Manager, ACT), Siobhan Cosgrave (Program Manager ACT) and Sharon Maza (Program Manager, Sydney Metro) who have all spent 20 years at Barnardos. More tears were shed as they spoke about the Barnardos family and how the children they’ve helped over the years have kept them going. All in all, it was a very successful evening and we would like to thank everyone involved.
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