Motherhood is one of the most challenging, but also rewarding jobs in the world as it carries the important role of shaping our next generation.
Each year the Barnardos Mother of the Year Award recognises the enormous contribution mothers make right across the country, and it is my great pleasure to announce this year’s winner is the very inspiring, dedicated and hardworking mother of four and grandmother of ten - Joan Bellinger.
At 84, Joan should be well into celebrating her retirement after raising her children, building a career as a school teacher and supporting her husband’s career as a police officer.
Instead, when her 48-year old son-in-law was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia, Joan stepped in to support her daughter’s devastated family in the face of the trauma and upheaval.
Her selfless dedication to her family is what prompted her daughter, 50-year-old Lynne Butler, to nominate her mum as the Barnardos Mother of the Year.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to provide a $5500 grant from the Premier’s Discretionary Fund to support the 2018 Barnardos Mother of the year campaign.
This acknowledgment is so much more than just an award, just as mothers are so much more than their namesake. I’d like to thank Barnardos for the work they do each year in celebrating mums.
Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists, and I wish Joan all the best in representing Tasmania at the National Mother of the year awards in May.