FSC Attends Opening of Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub
Thursday, 18 June 2026 • Director Clare Brennan had the privilege of attending the official opening of the Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub in Carramar, Sydney. The new Hub, officially opened by NSW Minister for Health and Regional Health, The Hon. Ryan Park MP, brings together parenting, health, and family support services under one roof — making it easier for families to access support during the critical first 2,000 days of a child's life.
From L to R: Lee Bratel (NSW Community Programs Manager, Karitane), Erin Brandtman (Systems Navigator Project Lead, Karitane), Clare Brennan (Director, FSC), Sharlene Vlahos (Director of Education and Business Development, Karitane), Anna-Marie Kanaan (Integrated Care Manager, Karitane)
The $13 million project was made possible through a shared commitment between the NSW Government, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Snow Foundation, and numerous community partners.
The Karitane Fairfield Hub demonstrates the growing national momentum behind the integrated child and family hub model — a model that First Steps Count is proud to be part of through our affiliation with the National Child and Family Hubs Network. As more hubs like this open across Australia, the vision of connected, accessible, early support for families moves closer to becoming a reality for communities everywhere.
Clare, who opened First Steps Count's own Hub in Taree a few years prior, reflected on her own memories from that season of our Hub’s growth:
“There’s a particular kind of pressure in those early days: getting the space right, getting the partnerships right, getting the first families through the door and feeling like it actually works. Having been on the other side of that, it meant a lot to share what I’d learned and watch the team bring their own vision to life.”
Media Enquiries:
Clare Brennan, Director
clare.brennan@firststepscount.org
Links:
Learn more about Karitane and the opening event
