Celebrating ResiRocks 2026

ResiROCKS is an annual event hosted by The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (CFECFW) and RCLADS to celebrate and honour residential care workers who care for children and young people in residential care. 

The event name “ResiROCKS” stands for Recognising Our Carers Knowledge and Skills, with the event including guest speakers and culminating in award presentations across a range of categories. Approximately 50 BSY Residential Care Team members attended the event at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 06/08/2026, travelling in from across the state.

This year, BSY submitted seven award nominations, with two of these shortlisted as finalists. The whole BSY crew was delighted when Reza Karimi from Hume was announced as a co-winner of the RCLADS Learner Award which recognises a residential care worker who demonstrates a strong commitment to learning and development. 

This was followed up by the Vale Street team being awarded an honourable mention for the Residential Team of the Year Award which recognises a residential team that has made a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children and young people living in residential care. This was a huge achievement as there were nine nominations in this category.

Another wonderful result for BSY on the day was the success of a young person from our East Road house who won the ResiROCKS Hoodie Competition. This is an annual creative contest invites young people currently living in or supported by a Victorian Residential Care Agency to design the official artwork for the event’s annual hoodie (pictured below). 

The theme this year was “Belonging”, and participants were asked to represent what safety, connection and belonging mean while living in residential care. Winning the award involved a cash prize and the opportunity to collaborate with a professional designer to bring the design to life. There was a wonderful array of entrant artwork on display at the event, showcasing the talent of many young artists.

Other highlights of the day included keynote speaker Dr Billy Garvey, a developmental paediatrician and founder of Guiding Growing Minds, who spoke about the importance of connecting with young people, creating safety and trust; and a powerful presentation from 16 Yards an organisation providing lived experience mentoring in the justice system.

This included a screening of The Blueprint, a moving documentary sharing powerful stories of ten young men who transformed their trajectories from youth crime to find purpose and enduring change. The mood was energised in the afternoon with a fun body percussion workshop which had everyone out of their seats dancing and enjoying the atmosphere.

It was a fabulous event recognising and celebrating the skilled and dedicated work of all residential care workers and the support and care they provide to young people every day.