A lifetime of heartfelt generosity

“With no children of my own, I am second mum or aunty to many.”

This is how June Gunning describes her legacy of having been a foster carer with Barnardos for 20 years.

Giving is part of June’s nature. Her generosity towards others was instilled in her growing up on a property in northern NSW. After studying physiotherapy at university, June married and moved to Canberra in the 1980’s.

While she pursued a successful career as a physiotherapist and later moved into management roles within the health sector, her husband also worked full-time, and they both committed to becoming carers.

June’s desire to give led her to what she now considers to be her most important work: “My husband and I were privileged to have young children and teenagers on respite and short-term care, working closely with the wonderful staff at Barnardos Canberra.”

But June’s giving was not limited to providing a stable home life to children in need of security and care. “I could provide a safe caring environment, but quickly realised that there are many vulnerable children, and so organisations such as Barnardos were going to need to be viable into the future. It was therefore easy for me to also become a donor.”

Through her involvement with the organisation over many years, she identified that Barnardos’ values were closely aligned to her own, so when she and her husband were updating their Wills a few years ago, she decided to make yet another gift – a bequest.

June’s legacy will now reach beyond all those children she fostered: “I hope this gift can go towards helping Barnardos Australia continue in supporting families to be the best parents and caregivers they can be and empowering children to reach their full potential.” 

A fitting testament to a life characterised by giving.