A couple who’ve made it their life’s work to ensure the Aboriginal children in their care remain connected to culture, Country, and community, are finalists in the 2025 South Australian Child Protection and Family Support Awards.
Tara and Scott Forbes-Godfrey have been fostering with Lutheran Care since 2020. Approved as both Foster and Kinship Carers, they recognise and continuously protect the rights of the Aboriginal children in their care as well as other Aboriginal children living in residential care.
The couple both acknowledge the effect forced separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has on families and the community, and work tirelessly to find family connections for all three children in their care, often travelling to remote parts of Northern Territory and Central Australia to enable the children to maintain connections to family, community and language. As a result, Tara and Scott have found numerous family members for all three children enabling them to be part of their cultural journey.
Tara and Scott have dedicated their lives to continuing to support these children to maintain positive and ever-growing connections to their land and peoples. Kinship carers of two Ngarrindjeri children, Tara and Scott are welcomed by the wider Ngarrindjeri community. They were proudly part of the Dupang Festival, a celebration of indigenous culture through workshops, storytelling and dance, directed by well-known Senior Ngarrindjeri Elder, Major ‘Uncle Moogy’ Sumner AM. This commitment highlights their understanding of the importance of maintaining connections through community events. As a member of Uncle Moogy’s traditional dance group, Tal-Kin-Jeri, Tara allows her family increased exposure to cultural heritage.
It’s not just the best interests of children living under their roof they have in mind; the couple has also worked to support two children who live in residential care. Tara and Scott constantly advocate, attend meetings and liaise with their Aboriginal community connections to ensure the welfare of these children is a priority.
The couple show immense dedication to the placement principle and the active efforts of ensuring all Aboriginal children are continually connected and supported to maintain connection and pass down their learning to their children.
Lutheran Care’s Executive Manager of Specialist Services, Ashleigh Hosking says:
“Tara and Scott’s unwavering commitment to ensuring Aboriginal children remain deeply connected to their culture, Country and community is deeply inspiring. Their support is a powerful reminder of the importance of identity, belonging, and the strength found in family and heritage”
The South Australian Child Protection & Family Support Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of children and young people, carers, volunteers, staff and organisations from across the child protection and family support sector.
Tara and Scott are a finalist in the Active Efforts category, recognising those who have demonstrated excellence in making active efforts to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
The 2025 Child Protection & Family Support Awards, hosted by the Department for Child Protection, will be announced on Friday, 5 September, at an event at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
For more information on the awards and the other finalists, click here.