About Us
We support grandcarers to improve the welfare of children
Our Story
Established in 2002 (formerly known as Grandparents For Grandchildren SA), we are a small nonprofit organisation devoted to supporting grandparents and other informal kinship carers, who we refer to as “Grandcarers”, all of whom provide full time primary care for children from their families.
We understand the unique challenges faced by grandparents and kinship carers in South Australia. At Grandcarers SA, we are here to provide support, resources, and a caring community to help you navigate your journey. Discover how we can empower and advocate for you and your family.
Our aim is to help grandparents and other kinship carers to deal with the emotional, practical and financial challenges they face, whilst trying to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children in their care.
Our Values
We believe that grandcarers who have taken on the role of primary carers for their kins’ children deserve our utmost respect, support, and assistance.
We are committed to these values
We also believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental values that must guide all of our work. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity that recognises and celebrates the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities of all grandcarers, including those from historically marginalised and under-represented communities.
To this end, we are also committed to these values
Our Statement of
Commitment to Aboriginal Reconciliation
Grandcarers SA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, paying respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise the deep and enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to land, waters, and community.
As a not-for-profit supporting kinship carers, we are committed to reconciliation and recognise the ongoing impacts of colonisation, including the Stolen Generations. We believe in the importance of culturally safe and inclusive practices to support kinship carers and their families. Click on link below to see the Reconciliation document.
Acknowledgement of Country
As an organisation we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, and pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Separation
“The feeling of being shattered when you’re separated from someone you love.”
Artist: Kel Rankine from the Ngarrindjeri Group
Acrylic on canvas 11/12/2017
Presented to Grandparents For Grandchildren 2018.
Our Documents
Governance
Our most recent constitution was approved by the board in July 2024.
2024 AGM
Strategic Plan
Social and Financial Impact Infographic for 2024
Advocacy
Our Nominations and Awards
- Finalist in the Department Of Child Protection Awards - Outstanding Service by Non-Government Organisations category
- Winner of the Andamooka Community Project Award in the SA Volunteer Awards 2023
- Finalist in the South Australian Community Achievement Awards
- Recipient of the 2022 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for outstanding volunteer service
- Numerous Premier’s Awards for Excellence have been won by various staff, programs and the organisation itself
- Winner of the 2021 Governor’s Multicultural Awards - Community Sector
Representatives of Grandcarers SA with the Andamooka Award, Dept. of Human Services CEO Sandy Pitcher (far left) and the Hon Nat Cook MP, Minister for Human Services (far right).
Our Patrons
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.
Mr Bunten grew up in Cornwall and Gloucestershire. He studied Physics as an undergraduate and postgraduate at the University of Oxford.
In 1984, he joined the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and began a successful career as a diplomat, undertaking postings in New York, Taiwan and Canberra. He met Her Excellency the Governor, then an Australian diplomat, while they were both posted in Hong Kong.
In 2009 Mr Bunten left the FCO and, after completing a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education at the University of Canberra, commenced a second career as a secondary school teacher of physics and mathematics.
For the next decade he taught at Melba Copland Secondary School, pausing from 2012-2015 when he accompanied Her Excellency to China, where she was Australian Ambassador.
Mr Bunten has also been a tutor to students at the Australian Defence Force Academy and Canberra University.
Mr Bunten is father to four adult children.
Our Ambassadors
Mrs Le was until recently our Patron, whilst her husband was Governor of South Australia. Mrs Le is enthusiastic about the role of Ambassador and looks forward to participating in activities associated with Grandcarers and their Grandchildren.
We see it as an honour that Mrs Le wishes to continue the relationship with Grandcarers SA, and are naturally excited for her future involvement given her genuine interest in the role grandparents play in society, particularly as primary carers.
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.