Berry Street

11/06/2026

Celebrating a wonderful milestone this week! Anika*, a young person who has been placed with her carer for just over six months, recently had the exciting opportunity to travel overseas for the very first time.

As is often the case for children and young people in out-of-home care, obtaining the necessary travel documentation can be a lengthy process. With the family due to depart on a Friday, there was a lot of uncertainty when Anika's passport still had not arrived earlier that week.

Thankfully, the passport arrived just in time, allowing the trip to go ahead as planned. Anika and her carer travelled to New Zealand, meeting extended family and enjoying unique activities like alpine flights, canyon jet boats, gondola rides and plenty more.

This trip was a significant milestone for Anika, representing her first international travel experience and providing opportunities that may not otherwise have been available to her. It also highlighted the positive and supportive relationship that has developed between Anika and her carer, demonstrating the meaningful impact that stable care arrangements can have on a young person’s wellbeing, sense of belonging and overall development.

- Kerry, Case manager

*names and images have been changed for privacy

09/06/2026

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (8–14 June), we're highlighting the power of attuned relationships in helping babies feel safe, connected and understood.

This year's theme, Attunement, focuses on noticing, understanding and responding to another person's emotional state in a sensitive and appropriate way.

At just three months old, baby Eli* had stopped smiling.

After escaping family violence, his mum Sarah* was focused on survival and keeping her baby safe. Through Berry Street Yooralla's Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) program, they received support to heal together and strengthen their bond.

Then one day, Sarah smiled at her baby.

And Eli smiled back.

For babies and young children, attuned relationships help build a foundation for healthy development and lifelong wellbeing.

Read Sarah and Eli's story and learn how early support can help children and families recover, connect and thrive 👉 https://www.berrystreet.org.au/news/a-smile-that-changed-everything-infant-mental-health-awareness-week

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, we're sharing the story of Sarah and her baby Eli, whose journey through Berry Street Yooralla's Child-Parent…

02/06/2026

3 June is Mabo Day, a historic day when the High Court overturned the myth of 'terra nullius', a legal doctrine that claimed Australia was 'land belonging to no one' prior to British colonisation.

The Mabo decision is named after Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander man, who challenged the claim that his family’s traditional land belonged to the Crown.

The Mabo decision was a watershed moment in Australian history, recognising the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledges the deep and enduring connection First Nations peoples have to Country, culture, family and community.

At Berry Street Yooralla, we remain committed to supporting self-determination and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are centred in decisions that affect their lives, communities and futures.

26/05/2026

This National Reconciliation Week, we join communities across Australia in recognising the importance of reconciliation and our shared responsibility to help build a more just, equitable and inclusive future.

The 2026 theme 'All In' is a reminder that reconciliation requires all of us, listening, learning, reflecting and taking meaningful action together.

We recognise that connection to family, community, Country and culture is fundamental to identity, wellbeing and belonging.

Through our work, we are committed to supporting First Nations children, young people, families and communities to retain and strengthen these connections, and to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are centred in decisions that affect them.

Throughout Reconciliation week, we encourage everyone to take time to learn about the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, attend local events, and reflect on how we can all contribute to respectful relationships and stronger communities.

25/05/2026

Today on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors and remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultures.

We reflect on the immense pain caused by past racist policies that forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.

Berry Street acknowledges its past complicity in these policies and is committed to partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to actively support self-determination for First Nations people.

You can read our apology on the Berry Street website.

25/05/2026

Berry Street Yooralla staff came together to mark – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia – with morning teas across our offices and more than 130 people joining an online panel discussion. 🌈

The event highlighted the importance of creating safe, inclusive and person-centred spaces for LGBTQIA+ staff and clients. We heard from employees Michelle and Andrew and special guest Tidge from Pride in Health, with the discussion moderated by Heather, Senior Manager for Diversity and Inclusion.

The conversation explored how we can continue creating safety, inclusion and belonging in the work we do every day, with staff sharing overwhelmingly positive feedback about the session.

A big thank you to everyone who helped organise and participate in these important events, and to our Pride Network members and allies who continue to champion inclusion across Berry Street Yooralla. 🏳️‍🌈

22/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who open their homes and hearts to children who need it most.

Could fostering be for you? Swipe to find out, and take the first step today 🏠💙

Enquire at berrystreet.org.au/fostercare

19/05/2026

Braxton* is eight years old and recovering from complex PTSD after a tough start to life, where he often had to fend for himself. He’s now living with a foster carer, and over the recent summer holidays, their bond truly flourished. He now feels safe and protected by her.

While this newfound safety with his carer is a beautiful thing, it has also made it harder for him to separate from her and head off to school each day. She’s been working from home most of the year to support him, frequently needing to pick him up early from school.

A few weeks ago, Braxton and his carer set a goal together. If he could attend school every day for a full week, with no early pick-ups, he could choose a special lunch order on Friday.

During the first week, he almost made it, but Friday proved just a bit too much. In our last session, we talked it through together. When his carer shared how proud she was of his immense effort, Braxton decided to give it another go.

This morning, his carer sent me a message…
“He did it! 💛”

She also shared a photo of the lunch order he chose to celebrate his achievement. We’re incredibly proud of Braxton and his carer.

Moments like this show just how far they’ve both come.
Here’s hoping this becomes their new normal.

Katie - Take Two clinician

*Child’s name has been changed to protect their privacy.

19/05/2026

Become a foster carer for a local child.

Find out more information at:
https://www.berrystreet.org.au/fostercare

30/04/2026

Brett* first entered foster care at age seven. His early years were marked by instability and the difficult separation from his siblings; it was a period of significant disruption. Everything changed when he was placed with new carers who would become his foundation for the next decade. For the first time, Brett received the undivided attention he deserved. He began to experience a world of new opportunities, including the excitement of travelling overseas for the first time.

One of the most profound parts of Brett’s journey was the collaborative relationship between his carers and his birth family. They worked together with a shared goal of maintaining his vital cultural and family connections. This strong partnership meant that Brett grew up surrounded by an extended network of support, ensuring he never lost touch with his roots.
School was not always a smooth road for Brett. He faced behavioural challenges that often made the classroom a struggle, but his carers remained his greatest motivation. Their belief in him was the driving force that saw him through to the successful completion of Year 12. He reached every milestone a young person should: he earned his Learner’s permit, celebrated at his debutante ball, and stepped into his first job.

Today, Brett has transitioned beyond the official age of care, but his journey with his family has not ended. He continues to live with his carers and they remain his primary source of love and commitment. Now starting his apprenticeship, Brett is not just a former foster child. He is a young man with a career, a future, and a deep, permanent sense of belonging.

Berry Street Support Worker

*Names and photos have been changed for privacy.