Congratulations to Upper Murray foster carer Meaghan Lewin for winning the Foster Carer Award at the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards. The Foster Carer Award recognises assessed and approved foster carers, both past and present, who have made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.  

The award winners were announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 3 September 2024 in Melbourne. 

The annual Victorian Protecting Children Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, teams and groups who demonstrate excellence in working with children, young people and families.  

There are 12 categories which were open to nominations for those working across the child and family services sector, child protection, government and academic organisations, foster, kinship and permanent carers, volunteers and community members.  

Meaghan Lewin is a proud foster carer with Upper Murray Family Care and has cared for more than 30 children since 2011, many of whom have had disabilities. 

Fostering wasn’t something Meaghan had initially thought about, but it was her work in disability that led to her becoming a foster carer for children with disabilities.

People with relevant experience such as childcare workers, disability workers, allied health professionals, psychologists and experienced carers can make great foster carers for a child with a disability. However fostering children with a disability is possible for anyone willing to learn and who can create a safe and supportive environment for a child. 

One of the young children who Meaghan cares for was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Meaghan put everything else on hold for 10 months to be by the side of the child. 

Initially when the child was unwell, Meaghan took them to several medical appointments, only to continually be told not to worry and be given misdiagnoses. 

The child was not able to articulate how they felt but after Meaghan’s constant advocacy and insistence, the child was finally correctly diagnosed, flown to a hospital and a tumour was discovered. 

Meaghan stayed by the child’s side through numerous chemotherapy sessions which required hours of driving and waiting. Following surgery and remission, the child is now back at school and able to enjoy being with their friends. 

“Meaghan is a dedicated foster carer who has shown outstanding commitment to young people in our community. This award was well deserved.” - Upper Murray Family Care Foster Care Team Leader, Michelle Wayenberg said. 

Interested in becoming a foster carer?

Fostering Connections is the state-wide foster care recruitment service.  A joint initiative of foster care agencies across metropolitan and regional Victoria, Fostering Connections works to raise awareness of Victoria’s ongoing need for new foster carers.  

To learn more about fostering a child or to connect with a local foster care agency, enquire online or call 1800 013 088.