Caring comes naturally to Maureen McClean, a Bywong woman who has fostered more than 130 children since 1973.
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Mrs McClean started aged 24. She and husband John had no children of their own and were suddenly in charge of a girl, only two days old.
''After the initial shock I was hooked on having a baby in my life and haven't grown out of it yet.''
Speaking at Civic Library during Foster Care Week, she said, ''It's rewarding being able to help families having difficult times in their lives.
''It's very important to have a supportive family because it can be quite a difficult job.''
That said, she got back more than she gave.
''[Fostering] can be happy, sad or frustrating but always there are times when you wouldn't want to be doing anything else.''
The children she cared for are flourishing. Recently a former foster child came back so her children could meet the McCleans. They also received a 21st birthday invitation from a foster child they cared for in infancy.
Many more people such as Mrs McClean are needed. There are about 550 children in out-of-home care in the ACT and 30 to 50 more carers would be ideal.
Minister for Community Services Joy Burch said, ''If you're a good parent, you'll be a great foster carer. If you've got a good safe secure home you can think about being a foster carer. They come from all walks of life and all backgrounds ... and carers are not alone, nor should they be.''
The need for foster care was typically linked to drug and alcohol abuse in their parents, or mental health issues, or domestic violence, or a combination of these.
Executive director of the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Christine Nolan, said, ''We've got every age from little newborns who can't go home safely with their mother, who is often a very young, disadvantaged mother from a disorganised family background herself, right through to teenagers who might have got into severe family conflict, or perhaps have been sexually abused by a family member.''
Director of care and protection at the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Paul Wyles, said caring could be tough.
''[The children] have grown up with backgrounds that fundamentally affect how they interact with the world. It is a real challenge for carers with some of these kids.''
To address this, carers had lots of information, training and 24-hour support.
Anyone interested should call 133427.
