Celebrating 16 years of Little Dreamers
Sixteen years ago, I was a nervous 16-year-old standing next to David Campbell and Molly Meldrum in South Yarra, launching a brand new organisation with more passion than polish. We had no office, no team, and no idea what we were getting ourselves into. But what we did have was a mission: to make sure Young Carers, young people aged 4-25 who care for family members with a disability, illness, mental illness or substance dependency, were seen, supported, and celebrated.
I could never have imagined what would come next.
Since that launch day, Little Dreamers has grown from a teenage pipe dream into Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation. We now deliver more than 20,000 hours of direct support each year. That’s countless days of tutoring, holiday programs, overnight camps, Dream Experiences, counselling sessions, coaching programs, peer support groups, intakes and check-ins, and everything in between. Thousands of conversations, shared laughs, tears, and moments of relief for families and young people who so often go without.
We’ve had some wild moments over the years. Like that time we somehow convinced 70 celebrities to tell us about their favourite sandwiches and turned it into a cookbook fundraiser. Or that time I received a call from the UK to be told we were being recognised by The Royal Family, and I thought it was spam. It wasn’t. I ended up meeting Queen Elizabeth II as a Queen’s Young Leader. (I didn’t mention the sandwich book. Missed opportunity?)
But while there have been glittery moments, there’s also been grit.
We’ve asked our Board members to cover insurance costs and cried over funding shortfalls. We’ve fought for awareness in a world that still doesn’t quite know what a Young Carer is. We’ve learned. We’ve failed. We’ve kept going.
And we’ve kept growing, because Young Carers need us to.
There are more than 391,000 Young Carers under 25 in Australia. But the truth is, even that’s likely undercounted. Research suggests it could be closer to one in ten teenagers. That’s two to three Young Carers in every classroom. Most of them are still invisible in the systems designed to support them.
Young Carers grow up fast. They manage medications, provide emotional support, help with mobility, look after siblings, and carry responsibilities most adults would struggle with. Many miss out on education, social experiences, or mental health support. But they are also resilient, capable, compassionate and driven, traits that, when nurtured, create the most incredible leaders, advocates, and humans.
For the next phase of Little Dreamers, we’re stepping up even more.
- We’ve recently launched our new Young Carer Wellbeing Hub, offering therapeutic mental health services for Young Carers;
- We’re strengthening regional support through outreach programs and pop-up events;
- Our new Young Carer Advisory Committee is in the process of recruiting its first members to further embed lived experience at every level; and
- We’re advocating for better policies, funding, and national recognition of Young Carers.
Sixteen years in, we’re proud. But we’re not done.
There’s still a long way to go until no Young Carer is left unsupported, unheard, or unseen. So this month, as we celebrate our sweet sixteenth with a totally rad 1980s Gala (complete with big hair and questionable fashion), we’re also reflecting on the road ahead.
If you’ve been part of our journey, whether you baked cupcakes, donated, volunteered, wrote a grant, referred a Young Carer, or liked a social media post, thank you. You’re part of the Little Dreamers magic.
Here’s to the next 16 years. May they be just as bold, a little less sleep-deprived, and just as full of heart.
With love, glitter and 70 celebrity sandwiches,
Maddy
Founder and CEO
Little Dreamers Australia 💫
