Australian of the Year

Sally Beard is the founder of the state-wide charity, Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, that provides essential care packages for thousands of vulnerable children. 

Often when children are moved into residential care or foster homes, they may have little of their own to take with them. As a foster carer, Sally was once asked to help a baby wrapped in just a police officer’s coat. Realising there was an urgent need to help displaced children, Sally started Backpacks 4 Vic Kids. 

Today, the charity offers a range of My Essentials packs containing different items for babies, children and young adults. Since 2014, the charity has delivered more than 60,000 packs to children in out-of-home care throughout Victoria as well as interstate. 

Thanks to Sally’s tireless work and compassion, Backpacks 4 Vic Kids makes sure that each child is provided with a few essential items to help them feel safe and comfortable at a time of great stress and anxiety.