Over her 20-year career as a foster carer, Julia Rollings has become a devoted mum to nearly 50 babies, toddlers, and children. We celebrate this Local Legends's memories and showcase her wonderful story.
Julia's daughter Alix was born in 1982. Julia was a single mother and swore this would be her only child
Memories Editor Julia met Barry at a New Year’s Eve party and later married. He was divorced with four children. The families blended well together.
Julia and Barry’s daughter Briony born
Julia and Barry adopted their first child. Haden arrived from Korea when he was just 5 months old.
Julia and Barry adopted Joel. He came from Taiwan and was about 2 when he arrived to them.
Julia first began fostering children in late 1995/early 1996. Indian adoptions take a long time so they began fostering while waiting for the adoptions to go through. Julia and Barry have since fostered over 48 children.
Barry and Julia adopted Madhu and Sadan from India in April 1995 and started fostering around Dec 1995 orJan 1996.
They adopted Akil and Sabila from India.
Julia started a Bachelor of Psychology at ANU. She wanted to work in the sector following exposure through the care she had done and was able to begin once Sabila started school
Memories Editor Julia Graduated from ANU in 2005. She began working immediately at Marymead (NGO) supporting kids and families in the ACT region. She first worked in a residential program for older children and adolescents with needs that were more intense than would ordinarily be met in foster families and eventually became manager of this program, before transferring to the foster care division, where she also became a manager of the program until retirement in 2013.
Akil and Sabila were reunited with their birth mother, who had since had 5 more children. Akil and Sabila were well established in their lives and adamant that they would stay with their family in Australia.
Memories Editor Julia wrote and published a book, Love our Way. Harper Collins. Re-released 2009
Memories Editor Julia was awarded Barnados ACT Mother of the Year award
Memories Editor Julia and Barry decided that they wanted to return to their first love which was caring directly for children in need.
Memories Editor Julia and Barry adopted Steph. Steph came to the family in 2011, for foster care aged 10. She decided to remain as a permanent member of their family and her adoption went through shortly before her 18th birthday. ACT Together website - mothers day video
Memories Editor Bestowed with the ACT’s Local Hero award
Memories Editor Currently Julia and Barry have long term care of a beautiful toddler with high medical needs. Photo:Julia, Barry, and grandchildren Trevor, Poppy, Clya, and Hollis