45 years, 205 children, one home: Flaxton couple honoured for decades of care
by Cameron Outridge
Phil and Di Wilson – with two of their adopted sons James, left, and Jayden – at the awards.
Phil and Di Wilson never set out to change hundreds of lives. They simply opened their home, again and again, to children who needed somewhere safe to land. More than 45 years later, that decision has seen the Sunshine Coast couple foster more than 200 children, adopt 10, and quietly build a family whose reach now spans professions, abilities and generations.
On Friday night, that extraordinary commitment was recognised when the Flaxton couple were named Senior Citizens of the Year at the 2026 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Community Awards.
The award described a life of service marked by patience, resilience and compassion, with the Wilsons consistently welcoming children others could not, including many with physical and intellectual disabilities. Their home, judges noted, became a sanctuary where vulnerable children experienced dignity, stability and hope.
Mr Wilson said the journey into fostering was never planned, but began with a moment that changed the course of their lives.
“Forty five years ago, with two children already in our family, we were approved for the adoption of an overseas baby girl. Then after a one year wait we were told to get ready for a baby arrival any day. But one week later we were informed that the South Korean government had passed a bill banning the adoption of babies to foreign parents,” Mr Wilson said.
“But the next sentence by the Dept of Child Welfare officer changed our life. We were told that there were always children in need of help and would we consider fostering. I still remember Di asking. ‘What is fostering?’.”
“After now fostering 205 children, I think we now know.”
Mr Wilson said their reasons for fostering were simple from the beginning. “We wanted them to be properly cared for – for them to feel that they were loved and truly part of a family – that our house was their home – for them to get a good education leading on to work and being able to contribute and be part of the community.”
Over time, fostering became adoption, and temporary care became lifelong family.
“All 12 of our current children came to us as babies or infants and have grown up to be people that we are extremely proud of,” he said.
He described a family whose achievements reflect both opportunity and support.
“One is a university professor, one is a carer of elderly people, one a manager of a large chemist, a bank manager, a holiday resort worker, a daycare child carer, one is a teacher’s aide at a school for students with a disability, another is a wife and mum of three.”
“One successfully attained his year 12 school QCE this year. Chris is our very well-known Downs Syndrome son who attends the wonderful Compass organisation at Nambour and two others work at steel roofing producers. You can see why we are a proud mum and dad,” Mr Wilson said.
He said the scale of their fostering journey had ultimately led to something very simple.
“I think fostering has worked for us. With our fostering over 200 children it has led us to today being a very happy family of 14. Thank you for this award.”
The awards, presented by Sunshine Coast Council, attracted 113 nominations this year.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the recipients reflected the best of the region’s community spirit.
What fostering really means: a son’s perspective
Q&A with Jayden Wilson, one of the Wilson’s adopted sons, who is now a teacher’s aide at a school for students with a disability
Question: When you think back on growing up with Phil and Di, what did they give you that you might not have had otherwise?
Answer: They’ve given me the opportunity to build my identity on my own terms within a comfortable home, all while supporting me every step of the way. I’ve always been encouraged to do my best and go at my own pace and inherited their positive values.
Question: Phil and Di took in children many others couldn’t — how did that shape the atmosphere of the household, and your understanding of care and responsibility?
Answer: I was able to grow up with my biological siblings, so I was never separated and it granted me the opportunity to live alongside them throughout life’s transitions. My parents have helped shape our values by teaching all of us what it means to treat others how you want to be treated, and so I’ve carried it on ever since in my mannerisms, attitude and abilities.
Question: What do you think people in the wider community don’t see or understand about fostering, based on what you witnessed at home?
Answer: I think people need to realise the amount of depth and dedication it takes to raise children, especially those with disabilities, and that there are demands to meet for every child. You need the whole heart to pump the foster system’s veins, and it’s through your empathy, patience and perseverance that nurtures a child’s nature, allowing them to grow positively. They reflect what you put out, so keep it positive. Fostering is not so simple, it’s a lifelong commitment to helping a child live their best life.
Question: Now that Phil and Di have received an Australia Day Award, what does that recognition mean to you personally as their sons?
Answer: It’s very satisfying seeing their efforts receive recognition, especially when I’ve seen how much they’ve sacrificed for us. Everything they’ve done has been for our sakes, to shape our lives in a direction that differs so distantly from the roundabout road we could’ve walked. It means a lot to me when a community comes together to recognise their efforts, because it can help inspire others too.
Question: What else would you like to say?
Answer: I hope my parents serve as an inspiration for those who are thinking about fostering, or are already in the system. I encourage you to act for others, to treat others how you would like to be treated yourself, because you can make a real impact on which way the compass of a child’s life points.