Super mum out to give kids hope

The Benalla mother decided to become a foster mother in 2004 after her own children, Sarah and Luke, then aged 14 and 11, saw a television advertisement calling for more parents to help with needy boys and girls.

Since then, with the support of her children who have shared their rooms with foster children, Mrs Terry has played host to countless boys and girls through Upper Murray Family Care.

Today she has been rewarded for her efforts with an Order of Australia Medal and hopes her story will inspire others to take on the noble job of being a foster parent.

“My motivation is that living in a community you just look around and you see the future and see the youngsters are our future and see they need a helping hand,” Mrs Terry said.

“Times are not as good as what it was when I was a child.

“I see tragedy and heartache, children who don’t have breakfast or haven’t been to the pictures.

“You would be surprised by the number of children aged eight to 12 who haven’t been to the cinema.

“It’s great to see them just have a laugh because some of these children don’t have good lives.”

Mrs Terry said the success stories helped inspire her efforts.

One girl who came to her as a 15-year-old with a five-week-old baby, had since completed year 12 and was in a stable home with her children.

“They are hard work, really hard work, the teenagers,” she said.

“A lot of them I probably don’t see ever again, some I do and I ask how they’re going.

“One I had five years ago said he had gone to uni and was working in a great job in Melbourne.

“You hear that and think it’s worth it.”

As well as foster care, helping arrested teens and being a disability advocate, Mrs Terry works four days a week in environmental health.

“I can switch off because if you let it consume you, you can’t help,” she said.

“You can only do what is in your own space and concentrate on that.”