When Paul separated from his wife, he was determined to remain connected with the two brothers they fostered, despite moving to the Opal town of Coober Pedy, 850km away.

So he became their respite carer, taking them in for 10 days every three months, and for longer periods during their school holidays.

“They both refer to me as their Dad,” says the 42-year-old, who works as a youth worker for Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS). The Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation  also provides support for his role as a carer.

“The kids ring me up every week and keep me updated on how things are going with sport and school. When I have a chance, I drive down to Adelaide and see some of their sports,” Paul says.

Paul, who was born in the Philippines, moved to Coober Pedy with his family when he was 13. He later lived in Port Augusta, and then Mount Gambier and Adelaide with his wife.

After their separation he returned to the Far North town, where much of his family still lives today.

Paul says during the brothers’ trips to Coober Pedy, much of their time is spent at get-togethers with his relatives.

“In the winter, if the weather isn’t too bad, we’ll go out bush and camp, but most of the time we just spend at home because we like having cinema days.”

The family also makes the most of the state’s last remaining drive-in, watching films such as the most recent Mission Impossible iteration, The Final Reckoning.

A year ago, Paul and his new wife Sharlyn had a little girl, Maria, and the boys love spending time with her and watching her grow and learn to walk.

“The boys really wanted to be there for the birth in Port Augusta, so they were there,” he says.

Paul was among a small group of Coober Pedy-based carers who this month caught up for lunch at John’s Pizza Bar, as part of Foster and Kinship Carer Week celebrations.

The lunch was among about 20 activities held across Adelaide and the regions to celebrate the vital role carers play in the child protection and family support system.