A Cairnlea couple who have housed more than 600 foster kids in the past three decades have been honoured at this year’s state child protection awards.
Robert and Brigitte Baker were highly commended in the ‘carer of the year’ category at the recent Robin Clark Memorial Awards, which recognise Victorians who work with children and families, usually as foster carers.
“It was nice to be recognised because a lot of the stuff that we do goes unnoticed,” Mr Baker said.
The couple became foster carers 27 years ago when they came across an ad calling for carers to look after teenagers. After a few years, the Bakers also started taking on younger kids and babies.
Robert, 62, and Brigitte, 55, are currently looking after two permanent foster kids who have been with them for seven years, and another two non-permanent foster kids. To top it off, the Bakers have three children and three grandchildren of their own.
Mrs Baker says the couple will “take on anything”.
“Whether they were overnight, weekends, longer term, short term – whatever they needed,” she said.
“Once we had nine kids for the weekend. There was my three, my daughter’s friend, two boys and a sibling group of three.
“Sometimes it’s really rewarding, sometimes not so much … there are so many kids out there who really need a home, a roof over their head, a bit of love in their life, and food.”
The commendation has topped off a wonderful year for Mrs Baker, who was named 2014 Brimbank citizen of the year as part of the council’s Australia Day awards.
