Over the last 15 years Di Fenner has provided a home and a family to more than 40 children in Orange.
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The foster mum has fed, clothed, housed and loved babies, tweens and teens, in addition to raising her now 27-year-old biological son - who has since become a foster father himself.
Some of the foster kids have needed her care for weeks, some for months and some for years. Each has been born into situations most people wouldn't wish upon any child.
Ms Fenner said many of the foster children in Orange are in need of emergency care and in need of respite from situations which could only be described as "very awful."
"It's not always been easy," she said. "But it's been worth it."
The joy they bring to me is unbelievable. I've got this huge family all over Orange.
- Di Fenner
Ms Fenner received the Veritas House Deb Elsley Memorial Award this week, in recognition of the work she does as a carer and a trainer for the not-for-profit organisation.
Veritas House CEO Jody Pearce said while Ms Fenner doesn't believe in being singled out for an award, this one was well deserved.
"Di was selected for the award in recognition of her role not only as an exceptional carer, but for her role in mentoring and supporting other carers and in encouraging people from across Western NSW to become a carer for the first time," Ms Pearce said.
With five foster children currently in her care, Ms Fenner said she can't imagine a quiet household.
"I just can't imagine my life without them," she said.
"The joy they bring me is unbelievable. I've got this huge family all over Orange."
Ms Fenner said she gets constant reminders of the benefits of foster caring, when she sees the accomplished adults the often troubled children become.
The sister of her foster daughter of 14-years has become an electrical engineer in the air force.
"She's just an amazing young women and she might not have had that chance," Ms Fenner said.
Veritas House is in need of new foster carers, with 2100 children and young people entering care in NSW in 2017-18.
"We urgently need local families and individuals to put up their hand because children and young people taken into care deserve to feel special and worthy and loved," Ms Pearce said.
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