The Barnardos Mother of the Year Award is our most recognised national award campaign celebrating the enormous contribution mothers make across the nation in shaping our next generation.
It is with great pleasure I announce Tasmania’s Barnardos Mother of the Year for 2017, Carol Edmunds, who will go on to represent Tasmania for the National Mother of the year Award, to be announced in Sydney on 11 May.
Thirty years ago Carol Edmunds, from Burnie, made the life-changing decision to take in her husband’s eight-year-old sister, Kelly, who had just lost her mother, and to raise her as her own.
Carol treated her young sister-in-law as her daughter, taking care of Kelly’s every need and filling in for her late mother throughout her teens, twenties and thirties.
Although Carol had two sons of her own, Kelly says she never made me feel any different to them – that she was loved unconditionally.
Now 38, Kelly Haywood nominated Carol for the life changing role Carol has played filling in for her late mother.
These Awards ensure people like Carol are publicly acknowledged for the critical role mothering plays in keeping children safe, nurturing them to help realise their potential while shaping the future of Australia.
Now in its 22nd year, and aligning with the lead up to Mother’s Day, Barnardos Mother of the Year showcases everyday mums and great women who go over and above for our children and our communities.
This is so much more than just an award, just as mothers are so much more than their namesake, and I’d like to acknowledge Barnardos for the work it does with these Awards.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to provide $5,000 toward the Tasmanian awards and to host the event.
And I congratulate all nominees and finalists for their outstanding work in inspiring and nurturing the next generation of Tasmanians.