Winner

Barnardos Australia's Mother of the Year for 2008

Heather Round of Goolwa, SA - nominated by her mother, Judith Parkinson

Heather is a testament to a mother's strength. Heather was devastated when she lost one of her twin sons at just 13 days old to a heart condition. During this time, Heather and her family endured incredible stress and financial pressure. Aware she had her family to think about she channelled the grief and pressure to take positive action. Heather and her husband set up an accommodation support network and foundation for other families affected by congenital heart defects. Heather now has six children (aged two to eight) and involves the whole family in fundraising and awareness days. *

Heather's nominator and mother , Judith Parkinson, said in the nomination:

Heather is a wonderful mother to six little children. When she lost tiny Max to hypoplastic left heart sydnrome in 2002, she was devastated. In 2004 in Max's memory, Heather extended her mortgage to buy a unit opposite Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital for families of children with heart problems. Today there are three units and still Heather provides everything they could possibly need. She spends many hours counselling parents, who phone her throughout their ordeal. Heather is not only an exceptional Mum to her six surviving children, but a wonderful, practical God-mother to all those little children and their families who have the privilege of staying at Max's Place.

Heather's Top Tip: "Love"

* Biography current at time of Awards.