ACT Together celebrates official opening with children’s art and performances


Released 25/07/2017

Joint media release: Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA and Gordon Ramsay MLA

Last night, Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Rachel Stephen-Smith and Minister for Arts and Community Events, Gordon Ramsay joined the community services sector at the official opening of the ACT Together offices and the ‘Big Ones Little Ones’ art exhibition.

The evening was an opportunity for leaders across the community sector to come together and hear about the great work that ACT Together and its foster and kinship carers do in providing quality out of home care services to vulnerable children and young people.

“ACT Together is seeking more foster carers to help make a difference to children and young people across Canberra who cannot live with their families. No matter how much time you have to give – one weekend a month or a whole childhood – you can change a child’s life. I encourage Canberrans with an interest in foster care to attend one of ACT Together’s upcoming information nights,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.

Canberra-based foster carer Rachel Right said, "Fostering is one of the hardest and greatest things we've ever done. It's not a selfless act. We are thankful for the family it's given us and the opportunity to help Canberra's most vulnerable children. I would love more people to experience the rewards and to have the courage to open their homes to children who need us."  

The evening also included the opening of the ‘Big Ones Little Ones’ art exhibition, featuring works created by children from Australia and other nations such as Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Turkey and the Western Sahara.

“The ‘Big Ones Little Ones’ program gives a voice to children, many who have experienced trauma or disadvantage, and an opportunity to express themselves through art. Children worked with elders and artists in developing their own beautiful artworks which were on display last night,” said Minister Ramsay.

ACT Together is a consortium of service providers, led by Barnardos Australia, in partnership with the Australian Childhood Foundation, OzChild, Premier Youthworks and Relationships Australia.

ACT Together provides services under A Step Up for Our Kids, the ACT Government’s five year strategy to reform the out of home care system.

For more information about ACT Together, or on how to become a foster carer, please visit www.acttogether.org.au or call 1300 WEFOSTER.

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases