Satellite joins sector conversations during National Carers Week 2026
Friday 16 October 2026
As National Carers Week 2026 draws to a close, we reflect on a week dedicated to recognising and celebrating Australians who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. This year’s theme, “Care for a carer: Making carers visible,” highlights the importance of recognising carers, their contributions and their support needs.
For Satellite, it is also an important opportunity to recognise young people supporting family members experiencing mental health challenges.
During National Carers Week, Satellite attended two important events recognising the contribution of carers.
On Wednesday, Satellite’s CEO, Nadine Bartholomeusz-Raymond, joined a panel hosted by the Victorian Department of Health to explore the experiences of young carers, barriers to support and the importance of recognising young people earlier.
A key message from the panel discussion was that recognition remains a significant barrier, particularly for young people supporting family members with mental health challenges who may not identify as carers. Their experiences and needs should be recognised, regardless of how they describe themselves.
The panel also brought together representatives from Little Dreamers Australia and Families Where a Parent Has a Mental Illness.
On Thursday, Jo Mason, Satellite’s Manager, Partnerships and Contracts, Gab McLennan, Satellite’s Youth Peer Worker, and Satellite’s Youth Advisory Council member Jasmine Casey joined carers, sector organisations and the Minister for Carers, the Hon Luba Grigorovitch MP, for a special afternoon tea organised by Carers Victoria.
The event was an opportunity to recognise the significant contributions carers make across our communities and connect with others working to strengthen recognition and support.
We were pleased to have Jasmine representing Satellite’s Youth Advisory Council, bringing an important young person’s perspective to the occasion.
Gab also share their reflections from the event:
“It was wonderful to be part of the afternoon tea recognising the contributions of carers across Victoria alongside Minister for Youth, Carers & Volunteers Luba-Grigorovitch. I had the privilege of supporting Jasmine, our youth advisory council member, in engaging in conversations with sector leaders, including the Minister, about the incredible work our YAC have achieved and our hopes for the future. I came away from the event reflecting upon the importance of youth representation in these spaces, and the continued importance of amplifying young people’s lived/living experiences to be heard, seen and respected. Young people deserve to have a space in every one of these rooms where important conversations are being had, and we are so proud of Jasmine, in representing ALL of our YAC members who are determined to ensure the voices of young people are not lost in the crowd.”
At Satellite, we understand that many young people navigating family mental health challenges may not identify as young carers. Regardless of the language they use to describe their experiences, their voices, wellbeing and support needs matter.
National Carers Week reminds us of the importance of making all caring experiences visible, including those of young people whose contributions and needs may otherwise go unrecognised.
Thank you to Carers Victoria and Minister Grigorovitch for bringing the sector together and recognising the contributions of carers across Victoria.
National Carers Week 2026 – Event highlights
