Over two decades, Lisa O’Malley has been a foster carer to over 200 placements for children ranging in age from three weeks old to 17.
Lisa is a fierce advocate for children and for improving all aspects of the child protection sector, and through her experience in this area recognised the need for greater support for carers.
She co-founded The Carer Project, an entirely volunteer-run organisation providing essential support, education and advocacy to all kinds of carers statewide, including foster, kinship and informal carers.
Lisa has worked tirelessly engaging with policy and change makers in all areas of child protection, contributing to royal commissions, inquiries, reviews and reform work. She remains steadfast in pursuit of the ultimate aims of supporting carers and improving outcomes for the most vulnerable children, those in care.
In 2023, Lisa was selected for the Women’s Honour Roll and won Foster Carer of the Year in South Australia.