Bellarine Peninsula 19-year-old on how growing up with foster siblings helped shape her

A Geelong teen has revealed how a “chaotic” household growing up shaped her life, with her generous family taking on about 30 foster children over the years.

A Curlewis 19-year-old is looking forward to becoming a foster carer when she is older after her family cared for dozens of kids as she grew up.

When Georgia Mantzaris, who is studying to become a teacher, was in primary school her family began fostering children.

Over the past decade they cared for about 30 children for respite, short-term and long-term care – including two who came to stay as babies, and have since become permanent members of the family.

Ms Mantzaris also has a biological younger brother and three older half-siblings.

She describes her family as “chaotic” but would not have it any other way.

“There’s never not a full house,” she said.

“I love all my siblings, we’re all really great support for each other, which is why foster caring works.

“Fostering is a really big decision and it’s going to have a big impact on your family, but it’s so worth it just to know you are making someone’s life better and safer, even if it’s for a short amount of time.

“I’ve always enjoyed taking care of other kids and was always enthusiastic that they could come into our house to find solace.”

Georgia Mantzaris has grown up with her family fostering kids. Picture: Supplied

During Foster Care Week 2022, running until September 17, Barwon Child, Youth and Family (BCYF) is celebrating the role all family members play in caring for young people.

Out of home care manager Jo Dumesny said BCYF urgently needed more people in the community who could respond to the increasing number of children who need care.

There is an urgent need for all types of carers from overnight or emergency care, respite, through to longer term carers.

Foster carers can come from all walks of life: they can be single, couples including same-sex couples, or families, with or without children.

“One of the concerns we sometimes hear from parents is around how bringing foster children into the home might impact on existing children,” Ms Dumesny said.

“While these concerns are of course valid, Georgia’s story shows how fostering can be a wonderful and enriching experience for all members of the family including biological children.”

If foster care is not right for you, there are other ways to show support.

“We’re creating a foster care village of volunteers who provide extra supports for foster carers,” Ms Dumesny said.

She said volunteers could help with various tasks like transporting children and young people to and from school or extra-curricular activities.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer or ‘villager’, contact BCYF on 5226 8900 or

visit www.bcyf.org.au/foster-care/

Originally published as Bellarine Peninsula 19-year-old on how growing up with foster siblings helped shape her