This year has been one of growth and many achievements for Lutheran Care as a respected not-for-profit in the community services sector, as families and individuals in need continue to put their trust in us and seek out our care.

Sadly, the year was also marked by sorrow following the passing of our Chief Executive Officer Rohan Feegrade in June. The way our workforce came together at this time, with compassion, respect and genuine kindness, was a powerful reflection of the culture we have, as we continued to support vulnerable people in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Here are some of our most impactful moments of this year, in no particular order.

1. Central Intake Service: From November 2025, Lutheran Care has delivered a new Territory-wide Central Intake Homelessness Support Service in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and established community sector providers. In addition to our existing Alice Springs office, the Central Intake Service has hubs located in Darwin and Katherine, with outreach services into Tennant Creek.

2. Vale Rohan Feegrade: Lutheran Care’s beloved and highly respected Chief Executive Officer, Rohan Feegrade, died peacefully in June surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Despite the personal challenges of his illness, Rohan’s commitment to Lutheran Care and the people we serve never wavered. His leadership, compassion and vision has left an enduring mark on Lutheran Care and on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

3. 2025 Gala Dinner: We were incredibly grateful for the generosity and support we received at our 2025 Gala Dinner in May. About 400 guests attended our ‘party with a purpose’ at Adelaide Oval, and together with corporate sponsorships, more than $150,000 was raised for South Australians experiencing crisis and hardship.

4. LC welcomes its first ambassador: In honour of Andrew Baines’ generous contribution to supporting Lutheran Care to change lives and build communities, he was named Lutheran Care’s first official Ambassador in March.

5. Adelaide Fringe partnership: Lutheran Care was thrilled to be a Supporting Partner of Adelaide Fringe in 2025, which allowed us to give tickets to our clients and community groups experiencing disadvantage during this year’s festival in February and March.

6. New CEO appointed: Lutheran Care was pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Byrne as our new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in January 2026. Mr Byrne joins Lutheran Care after more than a decade with AnglicareSA, where he most recently served as Executive General Manager, Disability and Wellbeing.

7. Intergenerational Pen Pal Program: A heartwarming new pen pal program led by Lutheran Care’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme team, in partnership with St Paul Lutheran School in Blair Athol, began connecting generations and reviving the art of letter writing this year.

8. Foster Care Little Moments Big Impact Campaign: Lutheran Care was excited to launch ‘Little Moments Big Impact’ in November, a new campaign aimed at recruiting Foster Carers. Little Moments Big Impact is designed primarily for bus advertisements, with taglines that are simple, memorable and heartfelt.

9. Good Better Best Men: Supported by Lutheran Care’s Community Connections Program, the Good Better Best Men program was held in Tanunda – a nine-week journey for a group of local men committed to self-improvement and development.

10. Inclusive employer recognition: Lutheran Care was named one of Diversity Council Australia’s Inclusive Employers for 2025–2026, earning national recognition for its commitment to building a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.

11. LC supports AFL NT Grand Finals: Lutheran Care was proud to partner with Indigenous Community Television (ICTV) as a broadcast sponsor of the AFL NT Town Competition Grand Finals in Mparntwe – Alice Springs in September.

12. Foster Carers celebrated: Lutheran Care Foster Carers Tara and Scott Forbes-Godfrey, who’ve made it their life’s work to ensure the Aboriginal children in their care remain connected to culture, Country, and community, were finalists in the 2025 South Australian Child Protection and Family Support Awards. 

13. Torrens Transit raises $17k for LC: Lutheran Care’s work with vulnerable South Australians was boosted by a generous $17,000 donation from Torrens Transit following the business’s Annual Dinner in July.

14. Social worker registration: The Social Workers Registration Board of South Australia commended Lutheran Care for its leadership and collaboration in preparing the sector for mandatory social worker registration this year.

15. Elcies pop-up store a success: Elcies Thrift Stores was thrilled to attend a local ladies’ high tea in the Barossa in November, hosting a pop-up shop and two fashion shows on the day, which raised $1000 for Lutheran Care through the proceeds of clothing sales.

16. Family Zone’s Family Fun Day: Family Zone’s annual Family Fun Day was a huge success again. We had 762 community members attend this event, which included a petting zoo, jumping castle, face painting, games and a magic show. The initiative is to provide families with a free and fun event in the school holidays.

17. ASES audit achievement: Lutheran Care was proud to achieve an impressive 100% compliance at both ASES Certificate and Award levels, a testament to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of every team member in the organisation. This comprehensive evaluation assessed our organisation against 148 rigorous standards across all our programs and services, and the results reflect the exceptional quality of work happening across Lutheran Care every day.

18. THA Conference: Our Toward Home Alliance team once again enjoyed a positive and energising occasion at its annual conference in September. Staff enjoyed the opportunity to connect across teams both openly and energetically as we continue to learn and grow with each other.

19. Community Hubs nature playgroups: This year we have been thrilled to see the partnership with Green Adelaide and Words Grow Minds for the Bush and Beach Playgroup project thrive. Every school term, all 10 SA hubs come together to deliver nature-based playgroup sessions at various sites around Adelaide. One of the aims of these excursions is to build parents’ capacity and confidence in accessing different local environments for their children to experience play in.

20. Better Self rebrand: This year saw a change in branding for Lutheran Care’s Speech Pathology services from Elcies to Better Self, integrating the Speech Pathology team with Better Self Psychology. Lutheran Care acquired Better Self Psychology, one of South Australia’s largest psychology practices, in 2024.

21. All Staff Day: This year, Lutheran Care’s workforce came together at Glenelg for its annual All Staff Day. Staff enjoyed a day of fun activities, hearing from inspiring guest speaker and 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt, a shared lunch and a post-event gathering to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements we’ve made together this year.

22. Christmas Hampers: With support from our donors, schools, churches and volunteers, we have helped close to 1000 families experiencing hardship have a Merry Christmas with donations of gifts and festive foods.

23. Conference speakers: Lutheran Care was proud of the record number of staff who represented us and spoke at conferences and events across the country in 2025. Events included the International Social Prescribing Conference in Brisbane, the International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne, the Family and Relationships Services Australia National Conference in Sydney, the Community Hubs Australia National Conference in Melbourne, KYD-X in Adelaide and many more!

24. LC increases volunteer cohort: Lutheran Care and its amazing volunteer community have made a powerful and lasting impact across our programs and services this year. Volunteer numbers went up 16% in 2025 – an incredible achievement for our organisation.

25. Increased stakeholder partnerships: A shout out to all of the schools (Lutheran, Independent, Catholic and public) who supported us in 2025, as well as the congregations/parishes, businesses and community groups who enabled us to continue providing essential services such as Emergency Relief in SA and NT.

Lutheran Care would like to thank you for your support this year. We wish you a happy and safe New Year and look forward to more amazing moments changing lives and building communities together in 2026.