The Marshall Family

When five-year-old T* wanted a new lock screen for her iPad, she didn’t choose a cartoon character or a favourite game. Instead, she gathered her sisters, their partners and family friends for a group photo.

“She got me, Tara, and our partners to take a picture with her,” Rosanna, T’s foster sister, said. “That made me feel really happy. When I looked at her, she was so happy.”

Foster parents Ashiana and Russell Marshall welcomed T into their home when she was just 17 days old. Nearly six years later, they say one of the greatest rewards has been watching the bond between T and daughters Tara and Rosanna grow.

“The girls were quite happy about it, having a little baby,” Ashiana said. “She loves her sisters.”

Today, Rosanna and Tara take great pride in watching their little sister grow into a curious, social and confident young person.

“I think she sees us going places and she wants to do the same thing,” Rosanna said.

Tara and Rosanna were just 15 when T joined the family. Now university students studying education and law respectively, they remain some of her biggest role models, sharing everything from dress-ups and family holidays to everyday adventures.

“I think when you’ve got someone who’s kind of closer to your age, as an older sister, you can be more of a voice of reason compared to parents,” Rosanna said. “My hope is that if T does get exposed to challenging things, she’ll feel comfortable coming to me and Tara to talk about it.”

Culture is another important part of family life. Drawing on Ashiana’s Fijian-Indian heritage, the family has made cultural traditions a natural part of everyday life through family celebrations, food, travel and regular trips to Fiji, where T’s family heritage originates.

“From her perspective, this is just her normal life,” Russell said. “It doesn’t matter that other kids aren’t doing this. This is just the way her life is.”

As T approaches her sixth birthday, she is thriving at school, where her friendly and helpful nature has already made an impression. At home, Ashiana sees those same qualities every day.

“She’s very loving and caring,” she said. “Every five minutes or something, she says ‘I love you’.”

For Ashiana and Russell, fostering has always been about creating an environment where T feels loved, supported and encouraged to explore her potential.

“I don’t see her as a foster child. I see her as my child,” Russell said. “Because her success is my success.”

Looking ahead, the Marshalls hope T’s future is filled with the same confidence, curiosity and sense of belonging that have shaped her early years.

For T, whose lock screen features the people she loves: she is not only surrounded by supportive parents, but by two older sisters proud to guide, encourage and cheer her on every step of the way.

Foster Care week takes place from September 13 to September 19, 2026.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer yourself, visit our Foster Care page.

*Name withheld to protect the privacy of the young person.