Kinship Care Week 2025 – October 6 to October 12, 2025
At the heart of every kinship care story, you’ll find determination, true selflessness, and a love that reaches far beyond the ordinary. This year, OzChild proudly honours three extraordinary carers – Hayden and Rachael Jones, and Talei Kavapalu – as joint recipients of the 2025 JC Butler Award. Their stories share a deep commitment to family, culture, and the wellbeing of the children in their care.
Hayden and Rachael Jones have reshaped their lives to embrace a sibling group of three, alongside their own two children. Over six years, they’ve moved homes to create space, adjusted work schedules, and woven five children into one loving family. Their care extends beyond daily routines – they empower the children to find their voices, advocate for their needs, and remain connected to their Kenyan heritage and Christian faith. From supporting education to celebrating cultural traditions like hair braiding and speaking Swahili – a cultural bond the children share with their mother – Hayden and Rachael’s approach is holistic, inclusive, and always centred on the best interests of the children.
In another corner of the OzChild village, Talei Kavapalu’s story is equally inspiring. Since 2021, Talei has provided a safe and stable home for a four-year-old girl and, later, her newborn brother – while also raising three children of her own. Having previously cared for an older sibling, Talei remains deeply committed to maintaining the children’s relationships with other siblings and family, as well as their cultural identity – celebrating their Filipino heritage through daily practices. She supervises family contact, coordinates complex appointments, supports educational development, and advocates tirelessly – always placing the needs of the children above her own. For Talei, kinship care is an act of love, resilience, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves to grow up surrounded by family.
To Hayden and Rachael, and to Talei – thank you. Your dedication, compassion, and love inspire us all and remind us of the profound impact kinship carers make every day.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
About the JC Butler Award
The JC Butler Award honours carers who embody the spirit of its namesake: service, compassion, humility, and a fierce belief in the power of family. Hayden, Rachael, and Talei remind us that kinship care is not just about providing a home – it’s about nurturing identity, honouring culture, and building lifelong connections.
The Raising Queensland report, and the recent Commission of Inquiry into the child protection system, point to the same conclusion: when families are supported earlier, and systems work together, fewer children reach crisis in the first place.
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