Breakfast to promote foster care

The man who inspired a remarkable Hollywood feature film and one of Australia’s most recognisable radio and television personalities will help launch the Meli Foster a Future appeal in September.

The inaugural Foster a Future Breakfast at GMHBA Stadium will raise funds for Meli’s foster care program and highlight the urgent need for more carers in the Geelong region.

Headlining the event will be Saroo Brierley, whose remarkable story of loss, determination, resilience and discovery has been told in autobiographical book A Long Way Home and its cinematic adaptation Lion starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel.

Guests will also hear from Myf Warhurst, best known for her role on ABC’s weekly quiz show Spicks and Specks, as well as various radio hosting roles with Nova, Triple J and Triple M, and is also herself a foster carer.

Meli chief executive officer Grant Boyd encouraged the Geelong community to get behind Meli’s first major event since forming on 1 April (following the merger of BCYF and Bethany).

“At Meli, we receive three referrals per day to place children and young people with a foster carer,” he said.

“Sadly, approximately half of these requests cannot be met due to insufficient carers in the Barwon region.

“We realise not everyone can commit to being a foster carer, but through our annual Foster a Future Appeal during the month of September, we can all support the wonderful work of foster carers and contribute to the wellbeing of children in care.”

Mr Boyd said the event was also an opportunity to show appreciation for Meli’s foster carers, who every day make a difference in the lives of children and young people.

“I’m so pleased that Saroo and Myf will be joining us to share their stories with our wonderful foster carers and our guests at the Meli Foster a Future breakfast.”

The Meli Foster a Future Breakfast will be held at GMHBA Stadium on September 7.

Head to meli.org.au/fosterafuture for more information or events.humanitix.com/meli-foster-a-future-breakfast to purchase individual tickets and tables of up to 10 people.