28-02-2006
Cliff Dailey (left) thanks the McCartans - Jane (2nd left), Megan (2nd right), and Tony (right).
In 1976, when the McCartans were living in Belfield, with all the mod cons that could be had, Jane and Tony had their son David, who was born with Down's Syndrome. He was a lovely young person who loved to be involved in everything. Their experience with David led to Jane and Tony contacting Anglicare, and in 1979 they were given care of their first fostered child.
Tony noted that, while looking after the kids is a 24/7 job, the return from them is immeasurable. Shortly after their initial contact with Anglicare, the McCartans were doing respite care. Their first child was Jessica, who needed someone who not only understood the needs of kids with Down's Syndrome, but also could help her with English since she came from a non-English speaking household.
After doing repite care, the McCartans moved into fostering, focussing on kids with special needs. Through this, some parents were given the breathing space that they needed to be able to work out that they did want to keep their kids. Then in 1985 bubbly Megan came into the family as a one week old baby. Afterwards came Joseph, who had Down's, but some heart trouble as well. All up, Tony and Jane fostered about 20 kids, but looked after about 100 at various times.
When the McCartans assisted 60 Minutes with background information on Down's Syndrome, the producer asked them to appear on camera. David - in the innocent way that kids do - informed Mike Munro of something that should have been left in the family, rather than divulged on national tv (but has been a family joke ever since). In a similar "living life on the edge" manner, David also used his middle finger when waving to a group of 40 bikies who were following the McCartan's car at one time. (The bikies waved back in a similar way.)
While admitting that there is a lot of work involved in looking after the kids, Tony said that he and Jane were just "trying to bring light into people's lives". Tony also pointed out that Christ Himself came to be a servant.
When question time came, President Keri Sweet asked Megan, "What is the best thing about living at your house?". Megan's response was disarming: "I have my Mummy and my Daddy and they're married". (Possibly the last bit of information came from Tony and Jane's recent re-confirmation of their marriage vows.)
Last changed: 03:15:43 04-10-2008