Becoming a parent can be a daunting process, but a trust fund supporting young people with a care experience has provided some welcome support for Port Augusta resident Tisharni.

The 23-year-old needed a range of items to set up her home for her baby boy, now four months, and while she was lucky enough to receive a lot of hand-me-downs from friends and family, she still needed help to organise some of the big-ticket items.

Through the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust, Tisharni has ordered a nursery package for her “little man”, including a cot, mattress, chest of drawers and change table.

“I was really happy when I found out I was eligible to get assistance,” she says.

“I feel secure now, knowing that he’s going to have a nice set up as he gets older. He’ll have that set for a while.”

About $1.2 million has been distributed through the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust since the Department for Child Protection began providing operational support for the fund seven years ago.

Grants of up to $2500 support young people who’ve spent time in care to pay for products or services supporting their health, wellbeing or developmental needs.

Tisharni grew up in Maree in the state’s Far North, moving in with her auntie in a kinship care placement when she was eight years old.

The Arabana and Adnyamathanha woman learned about her mobs’ culture through family members and camping trips to Finniss Springs – the site of a former mission, northwest of Marree.

“When we’d go away, sometimes the whole family would go out for day trips. They’d take us to different sites and told us stories about what used to happen in the old days,” Tisharni says.

As her son grows older, Tisharni plans to teach him about Aboriginal culture through similar language group meetings to those her auntie supported her to attend when she was a youngster.

Before she gave birth, Tisharni worked as a technician at BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in Roxby Downs, and in future, she’ll look to move into a different line of work without shifts – potentially an administration role.

She encouraged other young people who have spent time in care to apply for a Dame Roma Mitchell Grant.

“I would definitely push for other people to have a look at it and apply for it, if you’re in strife or if things are hard for you at the moment…and you need some help,” Tisharni says.

The grants program features two rounds each year – and the first for 2026 is open until 13 March.

More information about the grants is available on the Department for Child Protection’s 'Apply for a grant' page.