Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Lesley Pryor has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to youth through foster care. Photo supplied
Foster carer Lesley Pryor has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to youth through foster care, after more than 20 years of opening her home and her heart to children in need, providing stability, support and a sense of belonging.
Lesley said the recognition came as a surprise.
“I think the biggest thing is it’s very humbling,” she said.
“I’ve had a number of community members say to me, ‘You really deserve it, we’ve seen everything you do with the kids and in the community,’ which you don’t always realise.”
“You just do what you do, and you don’t realise other people are looking at you and thinking, ‘Wow, you do all of that.”
Lesley’s journey into foster care began initially as an option she was exploring without knowing exactly what the future would hold.
“We hadn’t 100 per cent decided, but we went through the training. About three quarters of the way through, we were offered our first placement, and when we took that first child in, I think it just became clear that this was what I wanted to do.”
That first placement became a lifelong connection, with the child remaining an important part of Lesley’s life into adulthood.
“He was six when he came to live with me and he’s now 28. He still lives locally, and we still have a great relationship.”
Lesley said some of her proudest moments have been seeing the children she cared for grow into adults while maintaining those connections.
“We’ve got quite a large number of foster children we’ve raised into adulthood that we still have really strong relationships with, and that’s probably my biggest proud moment.”
“Watching them grow up, enjoy themselves, excel at what they excel at and make their own choices is really special.”
For Lesley, foster care is about recognising each child as an individual and supporting them to reach their potential.
“They all have their own personalities, their own needs and wants, and you have to be open to nurturing what each individual child enjoys.”
“You can’t just assume everyone is the same. One child might love soccer, another might love something completely different. You have to be willing to support them as individuals.”
“It’s taught me that people are incredibly resilient, and kids especially are extremely resilient.”
A strong support network has also played an important role in Lesley’s fostering journey, with family, friends and the wider community often stepping up to help.
“It’s huge. I’ve got a brilliant network between family, friends and the community.”
“People are really thoughtful. They’ll think of you and the kids, whether it’s offering support or just doing something kind. That’s really important.”
Lesley said growing up in a close-knit family helped shape her approach to foster care.
“My husband Mark and I both come from very close families and quite big families, so having lots of children around has always been part of our lives.”
“Fostering has opened my eyes to a lot of things and shown me just how much children can go through and how strong they can be.”
She said one of the most important lessons she has learned is that foster children are part of their own families too.
“As much as you make your home their home, they have other family, and that’s something you have to remember and nurture.”
“We’re not trying to replace anyone. We’re just another part of their support network. They call us Aunty and Uncle, and that’s something really special.”
Reflecting on her years as a foster carer, Lesley said she hopes her legacy is that she always showed up for the children who needed her.
“I would absolutely encourage people, but I would encourage them to go in with their eyes open and understand what it really means, because you are looking after someone else’s children.”
“My husband jokes that I must enjoy banging my head against a brick wall because we’ve had some really challenging kids over the years.”
“But I always say I want it on my headstone: ‘Lesley never gave up on anyone.’”
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By Victoria Velton
For more than three decades, Ingham nurse Silvia Brown has dedicated her career to supporting patients, families and the wider Hinchinbrook community.
That commitment was recently recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM), an honour she said left her speechless.
“I was lost for words,” Silvia said.
“It felt like; I just go to work and do my job - to be recognised with that particular medal is just unbelievable. I can’t believe that what I do would even warrant receiving a medal with that distinction.”
“I’m honoured, very honoured, and I’m very grateful. I feel very privileged that working in the nursing profession has allowed me to interact with people.”
Silvia’s nursing journey began in 1987, inspired by her sister who was working in the profession at the time.
“She said to me, ‘Why don’t you come nursing, see if you like it?’ and I did.”
Beginning her career at the old Ingham Hospital, Silvia started as an assistant before completing her enrolled nursing training and later becoming a registered nurse.
Her career has included roles as a discharge planner, community health nurse, and since November 2019, Chronic Disease Nurse Navigator, a position supporting patients through complex health journeys.
Reflecting on her work, Silvia said nursing had taught her important lessons.
“It’s taught me empathy. It’s taught me to understand that even though you’re there to help people with their health journey, it’s more about respecting them and listening to them, hearing them, and treating them like an individual.”
“I’ve been lucky because I’ve been allowed to walk with people on their journey, and that can include their end-of-life care.”
Silvia’s involvement with palliative care has been a significant part of her career, leading to her joining the local palliative care committee, helping with fundraising and support, and later volunteering with the Hurley Bus, which provides important transport assistance for community members.
“A lot of my clients who are palliative, frail and aged have limited transport options, so that’s where the idea of the bus came from,” she said.
“Being able to get people to their appointments using this bus, and then giving back to the bus by volunteering, has been really meaningful.”
Silvia said the strength of the Hinchinbrook community comes from the many people who quietly give their time to support others.
“We have a really great community. There are a lot of people here who volunteer their time graciously and quietly, supporting and filling the gaps for services that aren’t always provided in a small town.”
She said the region’s diversity and resilience help bring people together, especially during challenging times.
“We get brought together through natural disasters. Ingham usually makes the news when we’re flooding and things like that, but everyone puts aside their differences and looks out for the community.”
“Neighbours helping neighbours, our hospital helping our community, and that goes for all services.”
After so many years caring for others, Silvia feels grateful for what she has learned from those she has supported.
“I don’t look at myself as making a difference. I just feel like I’ve been privileged in my nursing career to be influenced by other colleagues, but also by my clients and their families.”
“Everyone I come into contact with leaves a part of themselves that I learn from.”
“I’m really grateful and honoured that someone thought highly enough of what I do and of me to nominate me.”
“To win the award is just an amazing thing, and it will probably be the highlight of my whole career.”
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