Berry Street

24/09/2026

The Grand Final is not a celebration for everyone

As footy finals fever is in full swing ahead of the men’s football grand final, Berry Street Yooralla is warning people about the increased risk of family violence and is urging people to find help if they need it. The most exciting time of the year for footy fans can be a time of increased fear and danger for women and children who we know are at an even higher risk of family violence, particularly in the hours following the final siren.

Read more via the link below...

Win or lose, violence is always a choice. Ahead of the men’s football Grand Final, Berry Street Yooralla is raising awareness of the increased risk of…

23/09/2026

We’re continuing the conversation on family violence as we approach the AFL and NRL grand finals this weekend.

Our CEO Terry Symonds appeared on ABC Australia News as well as ABC Radio this week, speaking about the increased risk of family violence around grand final season and what we can all do to help prevent it.

Over the past two years, Berry Street Yooralla has seen more than a 50% increase in calls to our family violence services in the week following the grand final.

Terry was clear that football does not cause family violence. Gender inequality and disrespect towards women are the main drivers, while factors including alcohol, gambling, stress and disappointment can increase risk.

But there are no excuses for violence. Violence is a choice.

Terry also highlighted the influence of sport, particularly on men and boys, and the opportunity for sporting clubs, players and leagues to use their platforms to challenge disrespect and help change attitudes.

And that’s something we can all contribute to. Call out disrespectful attitudes when you see them. Look out for changes in behaviour or signs of fear and distress among people you know. And help connect people with support when they need it.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, including during grand final celebrations.

Watch Terry’s interview on ABC News below.

22/09/2026

As AFL and NRL grand finals approach, Berry Street Yooralla is urging people to look out for the signs of family violence and speak up when disrespectful attitudes and behaviours are normalised.

Over the past two years, we’ve seen more than a 50% increase in calls in the week following the grand final. Victorian Police have also previously reported a 20% rise in family violence-related calls around this time.

As our CEO Terry Symonds told ABC Australia Radio, sport is not to blame. Disappointment after a game is never an excuse for family violence.

“It's a call to men to take a stand themselves. For others, I think it's keeping an eye out for signs, changes in behaviour, signs of fear or distress amongst people that we know, and then pointing them towards resources where they might be able to get help.”

Family and gender-based violence remains a national crisis. We all have a role to play in recognising the signs, challenging disrespectful behaviour and supporting people to access help.

Listen to Terry’s full interview with ABC Radio via the link below.

If you or someone you know needs support:
📞 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
📞 Lifeline: 13 11 14
📞 Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491

If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.

Three women have died in what police believe are family and domestic violence-related incidents in New South Wales on the weekend. Domestic violence support groups are warning that this time of year can also be a dangerous one... with AFL and NRL grand finals approaching.

18/09/2026

This Foster Care Week, we want to put special spotlight on Sylvia, one of our incredible Foster Carers who has cared for over a hundred children since she began fostering 40 years ago.

Head to the link below to read the full story.
https://berrystreet.online/Sylvia

Forty years ago, Sylvia and her late husband, Paul, lived on a busy dairy farm. With five children of their own, their house was always full of life. But when their youngest started school, the quiet in the house just didn’t feel quite right. Farm life was never short on chores, yet they missed the presence of children during the day. An advertisement for Goulburn Valley Foster Care (which later became a part of Berry Street) flickered across the television screen, a training session happened to open up a month later, and the couple stepped forward. They never looked back.

18/09/2026

🎉We are incredibly proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by one of our own. Rebecca Grant, from our Home Based Care & Community team in Hume, has won the Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV)'s Commitment to Carers Award 2026.

Rebecca's compassion, dedication and tireless support of foster carers, children and young people have made a lasting impact on countless lives. Her commitment reflects the very best of Berry Street Yooralla's values and the difference our people make in communities every day.

Congratulations, Rebecca, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for everything you do! ❤️

17/09/2026

Foster carers Lee-Anne and Greg have demonstrated exceptional commitment, advocacy and care while supporting a sibling group with complex needs.

As we celebrate Foster Care Week, it is the perfect time to highlight how they have provided stability, created positive memories and opened up opportunities for children to grow, develop and thrive together.

They are at the centre of a strong community surrounding the siblings, working alongside professionals, family and Berry Street to ensure the children feel safe, supported and connected.

Lee-Anne and Greg, thank you for continuing to open your doors, open your hearts and open opportunities for these children.

Berry Street are incredibly proud to see your contribution recognised during this special week, and wish you both all the very best for the FCAV Foster Carer of the Year Awards.

11/09/2026

It's National Child Protection Week. This year's theme is "Every Conversation Matters, Shifting Conversation to Action."

While meaningful conversations help keep children and young people safe, this week reminds us that real change comes from taking action.

One example is the incredible work being done through our Bridges Program, a specialist service that helps children and young people in out-of-home care access the disability supports they need. Working alongside families, carers and sector partners, Bridges helps ensure children receive the right support early and have every opportunity to thrive.

We're also proud to celebrate the recent recognition of our people and programs at the Victorian Protecting Children Awards. These well-deserved recognitions reflect the dedication, expertise and compassion of our people, who work every day to help children and young people feel safe, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

You can read more about our winners and the incredible work recognised at this year's Victorian Protecting Children Awards here: https://www.berrystreet.org.au/news/congratulations-bsy-at-the-victorian-protecting-childrens-awards

10/09/2026

A conversation could change a life. 💛 Today, our Workplace Health & Safety team visited sites and offices to celebrate R U OK? Day over morning tea, encouraging meaningful conversations and reminding everyone to stay connected and support one another.

08/09/2026

The Power of Reconnection

Jacob went into care when he was just a baby. He is now 12 years old, and after moving around many different foster homes, he is thankfully now in a stable long term foster care placement.

When I met Jacob, it had been over three years since he last saw his parents, which made him very sad and confused, as he wondered why his parents didn’t stay in touch. In our Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) sessions, we have been supporting Jacob to make sense of his story. Together we discuss possible reasons for his parents not contacting him, perhaps they feel ashamed and guilty and don’t know where to start. This helps Jacob realise it is not his fault, to counter his self-narrative of “I’m not good enough”.

Through Therapeutic Life Story work, the parents were contacted, and after many attempts, they finally agreed to meet with Jacob.

Jacob and his parents met at a park, had lunch, played Uno and put stickers on each other. Most importantly, with tears in their eyes, both parents explained to Jacob that they both have significant mental health issues that prevented them from taking care of him when he was born, and that is why he went into care. However, they love him very much and are very proud of his achievements. Jacob has a blue belt in Karate and he loves to swim and to skate. He is very good at art and has shared some of his favourite paintings with his parents.

Jacob’s parents said they were very happy to have reconnected with Jacob, and that they look forward to staying in touch with him going forward.

*All names and images have been changed to protect the young person’s identity.

06/09/2026

This week is National Child Protection Week. This year's theme, 'Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action', reminds us that keeping children and young people safe is everyone's responsibility.

While conversations are an important part of keeping children and young people safe and well, this week is a reminder that child protection is about more than words, it’s about taking action and creating environments where children can feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive.

Our residential care teams are doing incredible work every day to protect and support children and young people. This was recognised at this year’s ResiROCKS awards, which celebrate and recognise outstanding practice in therapeutic residential care across Victoria, with several Berry Street Yooralla staff nominated and receiving awards.

We’re incredibly proud of our staff and the difference they make every day. Through their dedication, care and commitment, they help young people in residential care feel safe, build confidence and achieve their goals, creating positive change that can shape their futures.

You can read more about all the winners from the ResiROCKS event here: https://www.berrystreet.org.au/news/celebrating-resirocks-2026