Ambassadors

On 5 September 2008 Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia’s twenty-fifth Governor-General. As the first woman to take up the office, she remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society, and yet one who brings more than forty years of experience in reform, community building and leadership to the role.

As a mother and grandmother, Ms Bryce is a role model and mentor to women at every stage of their lives. She values and encourages women’s capacity to form strong and enduring bonds of friendship, intellectual and emotional enrichment, and mutual support in their roles within the family, workplace and community.

Noni Hazlehurst returns for her eighth year as the national ambassador for Barnardos and the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards. Noni says, "every one of us has a responsibility to look after children and their carers in our community, in our nation and worldwide.

I admire the work that Barnardos does in caring for children and families. The Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the importance of mothers and highlight the remarkable achievements of mothers all around Australia."

Noni undoubtedly has one of the most impressive and wide-ranging career portfolios in the business – as a beloved Playschool presenter for more than 20 years, Better Homes and Gardens host and a celebrated actress in film and TV. Noni says though her most rewarding – and challenging – role is as a devoted mother of her two boys.

Noni dedicates a lot of energy and time to Australia’s children. She fulfils numerous speaking engagements, writes articles for parenting magazines, presents radio programs and is interviewed on many occasions on the subject of families and children’s welfare. In 1995, Noni received an Order of Australia for her contribution to the lives of Australian children.

Natarsha Belling
Natarsha Belling is one of the most recognised and popular news presenters on Australian television. Natarsha has more than a decade of experience reporting and breaking some of the nation’s biggest stories. Her passion for news, warmth and sincerity has seen Natarsha enjoy a meteoric rise in a highly competitive industry.

Currently co-presenting Network Ten’s National Weekend News at Five, Natarsha is the face of the Network’s 9 am bulletin and regularly appears on The Circle and The Project. Natarsha uses her invaluable skills as an award winning journalist to interview the news makers and breakers. Last year, Natarsha fulfilled a life-long dream to host a wildlife documentary, Delivering the Pandas.

Passionate about helping those in need, Natarsha joins Barnardos as an ambassador in 2011. “Children are our future and every child deserves the chance to be loved and grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. Barnardos ensures children in need receive that life saving support and have the chance to chase their dreams. As a mother of two young sons, I can’t imagine a greater organisation that protects the innocent and guarantees our future generation has a chance to be loved and nurtured.”

Natarsha cites her biggest achievement to date as the births of her two sons. This life changing role now gives her invaluable insight into many of the issues confronting Australian families and the constant challenge of the work/life juggle.

At age 35 Dennis gave away a secure 20-year career with Telstra and became a first-year drama student. He graduated in 1988 with a Diploma in Dramatic Art and there the start of an acting career that has spanned television, film and theatre.

On television Dennis has appeared in most TV dramas, including six years with the award-winning ‘Home and Away’ - where he met his wife Debra Lawrance. Film projects have included the lead role in the critically acclaimed feature Return Home. He has written and appeared in his autobiographical one man show, The Fall of the Roman Umpire which has been performed nationally since 1999.

Dennis and Debra have two children and live in rural Victoria. They are among the longest standing ambassadors of Barnardos Australia having supported many of Barnardos’ events and fundraising initiatives for over 20 years. They have been actively involved with the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards since their inception in 1996, hosting state and territory announcements, doing media and publicity appearances, attending the national announcements and judging the Awards.

“Each and every year of the Awards, I am humbled and inspired by the wonderful mothers who are nominated by their loved ones - these mothers all share the wondrous quality of ‘unconditional love’ that every child needs” says Dennis.

“As a father I can’t imagine anything more devastating than the plight of these abused and neglected kids. Any opportunity to do something to help is something close to my heart. I want to show that like Barnardos, I believe in children.” Craig says.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art, from N.I.D.A. in 1977, Debra’s acting career has covered television, theatre and film. She has worked with acclaimed international actors such as Meryl Streep (Evil Angels) and Tom Conti (Two Brothers Running).

One of her most memorable TV roles was as ‘Pippa’ on ‘Home and Away’. On ‘Home and Away’ Debra met Dennis Coard, her on-screen husband and a year after they married on-screen, Debra and Dennis married in real life!

When Debra is not working in the acting arena, she enjoys rural life on the outskirts of Melbourne with Dennis and their two children.

Playing adoptive parents on ‘Home and Away’ Debra and Dennis had an understanding and empathy with the work of Barnardos Australia. For over 20 years Debra has actively supported Barnardos and advocated for vulnerable Australian children and young people.

“As part of a close-knit family, I am aware that our children are fortunate to lead a very secure and happy life. Supporting the wonderful, caring work that Barnardos does, via my role as an ambassador is my way of giving back. Every child needs to be nurtured in order to grow into a caring adult. Barnardos supports disadvantaged children through to young adulthood and this work is a constant inspiration to me” Debra says of her role as an Ambassador.

Multiple ARIA Award winner, Damien Leith, has joined the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards in 2010 as an ambassador.  Damien shot to fame and won the hearts of all Australians when he won Australian Idol in 2006. Since then he has released four albums, The Winners Journey, Where We Land, Catch the Wind and his most recent album, the critically acclaimed Remember June, was released in October 2009. The second single lifted from his new album is Forgive Forget and will be delivered to radio on 8 February 2010. He has won five ARIA Awards, had two number one albums and been nominated for two MTV Australia Video Awards and a Helpman Award. He is also an accomplished fictional author with his second novel, also titled Remember June, released in 2010. Damien toured nationally in 2010 and 2011 and was a finalist in Dancing with the Stars. Despite all his success and fame, Damien says the most important thing to him is his family – his wife Eileen and their two boys, Jarvis and Jagger – who keep him well and truly grounded. “I believe that family is very important and the pivotal person in most families is the mum,” he says. “Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the wonderful work that mum’s all around Australia do and I am delighted to be an ambassador and support the awards.” To be kept up to date with all the latest news and information on Damien visit his website.

Dr Ginni Mansberg brings warmth, humanity and, most of all, humour to her advice on health and wellbeing. Ginni connects with health conscious Aussies all over the country through her expansive media associations – she is the Sunrise and Morning Show’s GP, has her own segment ‘Healthwatch’ on Weekend Sunrise, Body&Soul radio show’s resident doctor, and is a columnist with some of Australia’s most respected magazines including Women’s Health, Australian Practical Parenting, That’s Life and Healthy and Heartwise.

Author of bestselling book “Why am I so Tired?” Ginni is a sought after speaker on sleep, beating stress and wellness in general. Her second book to be published around Mother’s Day 2012 is for busy, stressed out mums who are trying to juggle too many balls!

She’s a frequent tweeter @dr_ginni and has a popular blog, www.drginni.com.

Ginni is mum to three incredible teenaged children, three beautiful stepdaughters and one insane dog! Ginni says that being a mum is at once the most rewarding and the toughest, the most important and the most unrecognised role in our society.

“The work Barnardos does in supporting families and mums through difficult times is mind blowing. I love the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards for recognising Australian mothers and thanking them on behalf of all Australians for making the world a better place for the children in their lives. They're an inspiration!”

One half of celebrated Australian design duo, sass & bide, Heidi Middleton has a long association with Barnardos Australia. Heidi’s parents cared for foster children so she discovered firsthand the abuse many children suffer. “I am passionate about helping disadvantaged children and I have the greatest admiration for the work that Barnardos does in caring for abused and neglected children. All children deserve a safe, secure and loving environment to grow up in and that is what Barnardos provides.” Heidi says.

Heidi and her business partner, Sarah-Jane Clarke have held creative workshops for both children and parents in Barnardos programs and in 2009 sass & bide launched the Shine Collective that raises money for Barnardos. As the creative brain behind sass & bide, which began as a market stall in London in 1999 selling customised fashion pieces, Heidi has enjoyed international success, showing at both London and New York fashion weeks. Their designs are sold in over twenty countries.

Heidi says however that being a mother to her two daughters is her proudest achievement. “Being with my girls is so enriching and amazing, but being a mum is also my toughest job,” she says. “I am honoured to be an ambassador for these awards and to support Barnardos in recognising the wonderful work that mums all around Australia do.”

Pete Murray
Pete Murray, Barnardos ambassador, footballer, surfer, celebrated musician, all round good guy; for Pete, his most important role is his desire to be a dedicated father to his two young boys. Pete has burst back onto the music scene in 2011 touring and promoting his new album Blue Sky Blue, following a three year break. His own recent personal experiences encouraged him to take time, to re focus and re-evaluate his direction.

Not only was his music scrutinised but how to be a dad, a great parent. Pete understands the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for children. “Every child deserves love and security and as a community it is our responsibility to ensure they have access to the help they need, “said Pete. “Barnardos helps thousands of children every year from the first visit into the future; they stay in contact with the child as ongoing support for as long as they need it.”

It was my pleasure to perform at Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards 2011,”Mothers are truly inspirational but especially the women I met that night. They deserve full recognition for their commitment to some of Australia’s most vulnerable children”.

Lisa Wilkinson, co-host of the Nine Network’s Today Show is one of Australia’s most admired and respected journalists and corporate presenters. For the past two decades, she has successfully applied her journalistic talents to magazine publishing, television and radio. Her communication skills have also made her one of the country’s most sought-after corporate presenters and conference and event facilitators.

Lisa was lured away from Weekend Sunrise and joined the Today Show and her relaxed and informative style has won her a legion of fans. Together with co-host Karl Stefanovic, they have taken the show to new ratings heights and their popularity now sees them hosting many of the Nine Network’s flagship programs and specials. Lisa’s media career got off to an astonishing start when she was appointed editor of the national women’s magazine Dolly at age 21. Four years later she was head-hunted by the late Kerry Packer who appointed her as editor of Cleo magazine.

Lisa and her husband, journalist, author and former Wallaby, Peter FitzSimons have three children. Lisa says, "I am committed to doing whatever I can to help spread the Barnardos message. It’s an organisation that literally changes the lives of children who would otherwise be lost to an uncaring system. And the number of smiles they generate on a daily basis, probably says it all.”