About Us
We improve the welfare of children by supporting Grandparent and Kinship Carers
Our Patron
Mrs Lan Le
Wife of His Excellency
The Governor of South Australia
We work with you
Established in 2002, we are an Incorporated Not For Profit organisation that believes all children have the right to feel safe and secure. To try to achieve this, we assist grandcarers and kinship carers (including alienated Grandparents) by providing unique support services including:
- Emotional and peer support
- Practical advice
- Agency referrals
- Telephone hotline
- Financial supplements
- Sector Advocacy
With limited funding and a largely volunteer workforce, who have substantial experience, skills and knowledge, we provide these services across South Australia.
History
- GFGSA began as a small group of concerned Grandparents meeting in a lounge room to find ways to help their at-risk Grandchildren
- Word spread, Governments began to listen and GFGSA was offered a small, shared office space in the Torrens Building on Victoria Square
- The group of grandparents had become frustrated by having the responsibility of being primary carers of their grandchildren but were unable legally to make decisions on their behalf, primarily in regard to education and health issues
- With the support of Government, GFGSA developed the Informal Relative Caregiver’s Statutory Declaration which addresses this inequity and similar instruments are now being used in other Australian states
- As GFGSA grew, a base of volunteers began to emerge and a new larger office was established at 104 Wright Street Adelaide, opposite the Youth Court. This allowed for direct client consultation and regular meetings and information sessions for clients
- The service began extending its network to members of the legal fraternity and other NFP organisations and began raising community awareness and lobbying for a change of legislation wording in the Child Protection Act to include grandparents. This remains today
- Client growth during this period averaged 60 new clients a year plus ongoing work with existing clients
- The second iteration of GFGSA commenced with an all-new team. It was transformed from a cottage industry to a professional organisation
- GFGSA was re-branded
- A highly acclaimed, yet resourceful website was created and developed by GFGSA staff
- GFGSA’s presence was launched on all social media platforms
- Relocated to larger, purpose-built offices in the heart of the legal precinct in Adelaide’s CBD at 345 King William Street
- High-end IT infrastructure was acquired incorporating four servers, a network of almost twenty PCs, multi-line phone system and an online sms facility
- Sophisticated databases were developed in-house to manage information and interactivity with clients, grant providers and funders
- GFGSA acquired its first vehicle and the highly successful Mobile Outreach Service (MOS) was launched to deliver service statewide
- GFGSA was the first NGO to be awarded STARservice recognition by the government acknowledging standards of professionalism and integrity
- The GFGSA Village Program was subsequently developed and launched as an integral adjunct to the MOS
- The unique Grandcarers’ Education, Arts and Sports Fund Program was developed now distributing more than $100,000 annually to Grandcarers and their Grandchildren
- Client growth has dramatically increased from an average of 60 new clients per annum to more than 350
- The number of GFGSA Carer Advocates has grown from 1 to 7
- GFGSA is currently involved with more than 14,000 SA family members
- Two new iterations of our Constitution were established with the current in late 2020
- Nine Premier’s Awards for Excellence have been won by various GFGSA staff, GFGSA Programs, and GFGSA itself
- Finalist on three occasions in the prestigious Governor’s Multicultural Awards
- A new, revitalised, skills based Board has gradually been assembled to lead GFGSA governance into the future
Our Vision
Is of a community in which all children and young people are cared for and kept safe in a nurturing, family environment and that the role of grandparents and kinship carers is recognised, supported and valued.
Our Mission
To empower grandparents and kinship carers to access and care for their grandchildren by providing them with reliable information and support.
Constitution
Our most recent constitution was approved by the board in January 2021.
Reports
Senior Carer Advocate
Colleen Hanlon
Carer Advocates
Kerry Daly
Jennifer Simpson
Kate Branson
Database Manager
Divya Sisodia
Cultural Officer
Takako Biber
Our Patron
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC is a proud sixth-generation South Australian – her mother, the Honourable Jennifer Cashmore AM, was a South Australian parliamentarian and her late father, Ian, was a manager at Hills Industries. Her late step‑father, Stewart Cockburn AM, was a distinguished Walkley award winning journalist.
Her Excellency studied economics at the University of Adelaide, while there becoming the first female captain of the rowing club in its 103 year history, and went on to join the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985. She worked in Hong Kong during the early years of China’s reform and opening, eventually becoming Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2011-2015.
In 2016, Her Excellency was appointed head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, pursuing Australia’s interests as world powers shifted and the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. She also led the department through a period of cultural change, encouraging more women into senior ranks.
She has also been International Adviser to the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister and Defence Minister.
In June 2021 Her Excellency was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through the advancement of Australia’s diplomatic, trade and cultural interests, particularly with the People’s Republic of China and the Indo-Pacific region, to innovative foreign policy development and high level program delivery, and as the 36th Governor appointed in South Australia.
Her Excellency is married to Mr Rod Bunten, a former British diplomat and high school teacher. They have four adult children and a cavoodle, Alfie.
Our Ambassador
Jane Reilly OAM
Jane Reilly OAM is one of South Australia’s most recognized and loved media presenters having enjoyed a distinguished media career spanning four decades.
During her illustrious media career Jane won the 1984 South Australian TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality and has been awarded numerous national media awards.In August 2015 she received an Order of Australia Medal for services to the broadcast media and charitable groups.
After 44 years working in the South Australian media she recently retired from the Fiveaa Radio Breakfast Team, where she was the program’s roving reporter.Jane currently fills her days with her many hobbies and family life, including being “Nana” to Oscar and Hugo and “Jane” to her 5 step-grandchildren.