Affectionately known as “Oma” to many foster children over the years, there’s a sparkle in Foster Carer Leonie Schiller’s eyes when she talks about caring for babies and children.

As Lutheran Care’s first registered Foster Carer in 2009, Leonie marks 15 years in 2024 and says she still feels as passionate about Foster Care as she did when she welcomed the first foster child into her home.

We are shining a light on Leonie’s incredible dedication to caring this week as part of National Carers Week, 13-19 October.

Leonie grew up on a farm in South Australia’s Mid North, before moving with her family to Port Pirie. Foster Care has been part of Leonie’s life from an early age; inspired by her parents who were also Foster Carers, Leonie knew it was something she always wanted to do, too.

Many years later, a conversation with a couple of Foster Carers through her work as a midwife was the gentle reminder Leonie needed to embark on her Foster Care journey.

Leonie and husband Rod – often referred to as “Grumps” by the children – are emergency short-term carers, taking care of children while there is still a lot of unknown about the needs of the child and their future direction.

“As a retired midwife I am comfortable caring for babies, and it brings back the Grandparent feeling, rather than the parent feeling,” Leonie said.

“Through emergency short term care, I can instil in them the love and the security that helps rewire their brain to feel safe.”

Leonie and Rod are also respite carers, providing support to other Foster Care families and helping those children and young people build positive relationships with other adults outside the foster and biological families.

“I think for anybody that’s ever thought about Foster Care, or not, start thinking about it, and care for where your strength is,” Leonie said.

“I often tell people that you cannot put a price on what you get back from the kids you look after, even from babies, to see them smile or sleep through or to see them eat a meal without complications is priceless.

“Everything that you do makes a positive difference for a child in your care.”

Lutheran Care provides high-quality support to all carers caring for children and young people of all ages. This includes Foster, Kinship, Specific Child Only and Respite Carers who provide both generalist and specialist care to children and young people.

Lutheran Care’s support includes events encouraging peer connection organised by the specific Family Engagement Team, ongoing training opportunities, a Children’s Therapeutic Worker, Aboriginal Cultural Workers and a Multicultural Worker.

To find out more about how Lutheran Care could support you in your caring journey, email fostercare@lutherancare.org.au or submit an online enquiry form here.

Caring for the Carers through the Ron Scriven Fund

In honour of late husband, Ron Scriven, Leonie established the Ron Scriven Fund in 2013 after his passing.

Leonie and Ron were Foster Carers for four years before he died, and despite initial hesitation, Ron became as passionate about being a Foster Carer as his wife.

The fund supports families during a time of need or for a special event, and Leonie continues to contribute to the fund on meaningful dates in Ron’s life.

“The fund was set up so that family can purchase a gift, whether it be a meal service for a while during a tough time or a bunch of flowers for an occasion,” Leonie said.

If you would like to donate to the Ron Scriven Fun, head to Lutheran Care’s website , the Donate Now page and select Foster Care Services from the drop down menu.