Anglicare Victoria

23/10/2026

Bet Different. Risk Less.

This Gambling Harm Awareness Week, we're encouraging people to think about how often and how long they gamble.

Three simple ways to change how you play:
1. Take a break
2. Bet once a week, max
3. Give yourself a time limit

Small changes can make a big difference.

24 to 31 October 2026


Additional Notes
Gambler's Help Victoria
📞 1800 858 858
🌐 www.gamblershelp.com.au

Gambler's Help (Anglicare Victoria)
📞 1800 244 323
📧 [email protected]

Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support)
📞 13 11 14
🌐 www.lifeline.org.au

19/10/2026

"Young people pay the same prices at the supermarket, the same prices for transport, and the same rents as everybody else. But our income support system expects them to survive on less." - Anglicare Victoria CEO Paul McDonald

For many young people, Youth Allowance simply doesn't cover the basics adequately.

New Anglicare Australia research shows a young person living in shared accomodation can be $52 short every week after paying for rent, food, and transport. And if they're living alone, that shortfall can grow to $382 a week.

That can mean skipping meals, putting off healthcare, taking on debt, or relying on family support that's not always there.

Anglicare Victoria is joining Anglicare Australia and calling for a fairer system that gives these young people a chance to study, find work, and build an independent life.

Anglicare Australia is calling on the Federal Government to scrap the student income support payment known as Youth Allowance. It argues the rate falls short of the basic cost of living and instead young people should receive the same payments as other adults.

16/10/2026

A few highlights from Foster Care Week 2026! 💜 🎥

During Foster Care Week in September, our teams across Victoria came together to celebrate the incredible foster carers who open their homes and their hearts to children and young people.

The video below (or above if you're on Instagram) captures just some of the regional events held to recognise our carers and the important role they play in their communities.

A huge thank you to every foster carer in our village. We're so grateful for everything you do, every day.

Could you open your home to a child or young person who needs it? Learn more about becoming a foster carer: https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/become-a-foster-carer/?utm_campaign=Foster+Care+Week+2026&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1792114980

21/09/2026

We're incredibly proud to celebrate our Gippsland foster carer, Laura Gee, on being named one of the winners of the 2026 FCAV Foster Care Awards. 🎉

This well-deserved recognition highlights the difference foster carers make in the lives of children and young people by providing safety, stability, care and belonging when it's needed most.

Congratulations, Laura, on this incredible achievement, and thank you for the compassion and commitment you bring to fostering every day. 💙

What a wonderful day celebrating foster carers!

Thank you to all the carers, children and supporters who joined us today for the FCAV Carer Celebration as part of 2026

This year’s theme, Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities, was a reminder of the difference foster carers make by opening their homes, their lives and their opportunities to children and young people.

Thank you to Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Children, for delivering an opening address, and for helping us mark this important week of recognition for foster carers.

It was fantastic to bring carers, supporters and colleagues together to celebrate foster carers and the people who support them.

🏆 Congratulations to our 2026 Foster Carer Award winners

Samantha Canobio – Key Assets Australia

Laura Gee – Anglicare Victoria

And congratulations to our other Foster Carer Award finalists:

Natasha and Kristian Austin – Key Assets
Lee-Anne Betteridge & Greg Smith – Berry Street
Emily and Peter Hough – Meli
Julie Wilding – Cafs

Thank you to every foster carer who continues to open their door, open their heart and create opportunities for children and young people.

Happy Foster Care Week!

17/09/2026

After caring for more than 300 children over 36 years, Barb and Terry still say the little moments are the most rewarding, from a baby's first smile to watching them crawl and walk for the first time. For them, every child who comes through the door becomes part of their family.

This Foster Care Week, hear why Barb's message to anyone considering foster care is simple: "If you've got that feeling in you, go for it."

https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care-week-2026/

16/09/2026

Twelve years ago, Shani and her husband felt called to become foster carers, even though life was busy and the timing didn't seem perfect. Today, she says it was all meant to be.

Hear how therapeutic foster care has helped Shani provide love and belonging to children who need it most, and why she encourages others to "just do it".

https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care-week-2026/

15/09/2026

For AV foster carer Kodie, it's often the smallest moments that have the biggest impact, whether that's helping a young person learn to drive or simply making room for one more at the dinner table.

Watch Kodie’s story to learn how saying yes to foster care can change a child's future, and yours too.

https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care-week-2026/

14/09/2026

When Laura found a second home in Australia, she wanted to help other children feel safe and supported too. Over the past 21 years, she and her family have cared for more than 40 children through foster care.

This Foster Care Week, we're celebrating the incredible AV carers like Laura who help children feel valued and connected. Watch the video to learn more about Laura’s foster care journey.

To hear Laura's story, head to : https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care-week-2026/

13/09/2026

To every Anglicare Victoria foster carer: thank you.

Every day, AV’s foster carers provide children and young people with safety, stability, love and connection when they need it most.

This Foster Care Week, AV CEO Paul McDonald has a special message of thanks for our foster carers, acknowledging the extraordinary difference they make every day.

One safe home can change everything.

For more on Foster Care Week, head to: https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care-week-2026/

10/09/2026

Many people contact the Energy Assistance Program because they have questions about their energy bills or want help understanding their options.

Some of the most common questions we hear include:

✅ Why is my bill so high?
✅ Am I on the best plan?
✅ Am I receiving all available concessions?
✅ How can I reduce my energy costs?

You don’t need to know exactly what the issue is before contacting us.

If you have questions about your energy bill or would like a second pair of eyes, we’re here to help.

1800 531 741

The Energy Assistance Program is a free Victorian Government service.