Nomination of the Week
Each week until nominations close we'll choose our favourite nomination - a story that captures the spirit of the awards and celebrates the special relationship between mother and child - to become our Nomination of the Week. The nominator will receive a selection of Lindt chocolates as our way of thanking them for sharing their inspiring mum with us and for and contributing to the success of this year's awards.
Special thanks to our Nomination of the Week partners:
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23 January 2010We have chosen Lauren Pinataro from West Richmond, SA as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Areti Alogianis from West Richmond, SA Areti's Top Tip: "Mum has offered countless pieces of great advice over the years, her most memorable is to treat others how you wish to be treated. Simple but so true." Why Areti deserves to win: My mum is my absolute best friend. She raised my sisters and I alone as a single parent and did everything and anything she could to ensure we had the best upbringing possible. She’s made so many sacrifices for us, too many to name. There’s never been a time that she has put herself before us kids, and she has all too often gone without just so my sisters and I wouldn’t have to. I can honestly say that mum is the most intelligent, caring, understanding and utterly selfless person I have ever known. I’ve yet to be in a position to be able to spoil her with all the things in life that she so sorely deserves, but in the meantime I hope my nomination to be Barnardos Australia's Mother of the Year shows her how important and beautiful she is, and how much she means to me. Thanks Lauren for sharing Areti's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"This is a recent pic of mum in Athens, Greece. She finally got a chance to visit her homeland to visit her mother, father, and extended family after so many years."
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16 January 2010We have chosen Terri Martin from Redwood Park, SA as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Karryn Couzner from Redwood Park, SA Karryn's Top Tip: "No matter how gloomy your day may look putting a smile on another person's face will brighten their day and yours" Why Karryn deserves to win: My mum deserves to be the mum of the year because it would be nice for her to have something for herself for once. For my brother, father and my birthdays she spends weeks organising parties or dinners & always makes it the best day for us. When it comes to her, she insists that we just stay at home and don’t make a fuss. My family & I love her more than anything, she’s always there to make us smile when we cry, she can make the worst day into the best and no matter what trouble we get ourselves into she’s always the first one there telling us not to worry & that she will fix it. She is an amazing person & my inspiration. To see her win mum of the year would make me the happiest girl in the world & to see the smile on her face would be the best thing ever. My mum is always putting people before her and going out of her way to make everyone around her happy. Please make my mum mother of the year, as it would mean everything to her. She is beautiful and if you met her, you would agree. Thanks Terri for sharing Karryn's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"This is mum in Thailand last year, when we left to get out plane home she cried and thanked us for the most amazing holiday ever even though she was the one that worked so hard to save up for it with my dad."
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09 January 2010We have chosen Alanna Hope from Wynyard, TAS as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Anne Hope from Burnie, TAS Anne's Top Tip: "Be careful what you say, be careful what you think but most of all be careful, be careful what you drink." Why Anne deserves to win: To most people my mum has had a fairly normal life with nothing overly amazing happening. But to me my mum is the best, she herself is amazing just for being her. She is always there for me and my two siblings and always makes us laugh. My mum was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and through several operations and treatment, she always remained strong and positive and never lost her crazy sense of humour. Showing us that she can get through anything. Mum makes us see that we can do anything and be anyone if we stick to it and believe in ourselves. Mum is always there to give us advice, help us when we need it and make us smile; she is the best mum in the world. Thanks Alanna for sharing Anne's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"mum and me at christmas"
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02 January 2010We have chosen Vinnie Gracanin from Mona Vale, NSW as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Roza Gracanin from Mona Vale, NSW Roza's Top Tip: "Respect and tolerance for one another." Why Roza deserves to win: Mum was born amidst a Gestapo raid in her hometown. In order to deliver my mum, my grandparents had to use candles. It was due to the candles that my mum’s birth was raided, with her parents taken away never to be seen again. My mother was rushed away by her quick thinking grandmother who had hidden in a muddy creek for 24 hours, just to escape the German raids. Her grandmother delivered her to a war orphanage, in which she grew in confused sadness, hunger, pain and brutality...on a good day! Long story short, she came to Australia with little English and managed to feed and educate, the only reasons she decided to live......her two boys. AMAZING MUM! Thanks Vinnie for sharing Roza's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"Me and mum hugging at my place for her 65th birthday"
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26 December 2009We have chosen Chantelle Brohier from Raceview, QLD as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their step mum, Kelly Brohier from Raceview, QLD Kelly's Top Tip: "Mum always tells me to never change who I am for anyone and to show respect and love and to always give to the world without expecting to receive." Why Kelly deserves to win: My step mum deserves this nomination because she is the best mum. I know that is probably something everyone says, but I didn't come from a very good family before I came to live with my dad & step mum. She is so nice & caring about everything that, to me, it was brand new. I didn't know people could care so much. She is nice to everyone she meets & she makes friends really easily & gives the best advice. I know she isn't biologically my mum but she feels like it. I have never had someone care for me as much as her. She teaches her other five children to love, respect, and gives without expecting anything in return. She treats me like I am her own daughter & you wouldn't believe what that means to me. If you had the past that I had, you would understand what it means to someone like me to have this family who actually loves and cares for me. To have a mum that actually cares about me & actually is willing to sit down & listen to me. I love my step mum as if she was my birth mother. Thanks Chantelle for sharing Kelly's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"My mum in Los Angeles this year in Kellys Cafe"
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19 December 2009We have chosen Alison Simpson from Merimbula, NSW as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Elvira Wighton from Robinvale, VIC Elvira's Top Tip: "Education will give you the world!" Why Elvira deserves to win: My mother and father are both Aboriginal. My father died at the age of 42 from a sudden heart attack. This left my mother a young widow with 10 children to take care of. This tragedy forced her to sell the family home. After losing everything, rather than give up, she continued to raise her children. 23 years later, her children are all grown, most with children of their own. She never failed to instil a strong work ethic along with the importance of having good morals and values. She allowed her children the opportunity to pass her teachings onto their children. Not only does she have a very loved and respected presence with her 10 children, she does also with her 20 grandchildren. All of my brothers and sisters believe she is worthy of this award because we know of the silent struggles that were conquered year after year. Thanks Alison for sharing Elvira's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"My mum and me"
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12 December 2009We have chosen Allison McConachy from Moriac, VIC as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mother-in-law, Jeanette McConachy from Winchelsea, VIC Jeanette's Top Tip: "Think positive" Why Jeanette deserves to win: Jeanette has worked hard all her life. A farmer’s wife raising three boys through tough times & in retirement is working harder than ever as a mother and grandmother to her three sons, three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren. She is the rock of our family and is always there for us all, even if it means flying across the country. She always finds a way to help us through the tough times, is always positive and gives good advice and plenty of hugs. Not only is she the best mother in the world to us, her ‘mothering’ extends to the rural community of which she is an integral part. She volunteers & works tirelessly for ‘Meals on Wheels’, the church committee as secretary, treasurer, fundraiser etc , RE teaching at the local school, ‘Do Care Elderly Folk’, Winchelsea Tourist Information Centre, the Red Cross and Probus. Thanks Allison for sharing Jeanette's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"Jeanette and grandson Luke"
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05 December 2009We have chosen Carrie Macfarlane from Pelican Waters, QLD as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their sister-in-law, Rebecca Jackson from Woorim, QLD Rebecca's Top Tip: "Always look at what is on the inside of a person" Why Rebecca deserves to win: I would like to nominate Bec for Mother of the Year as she is a young mother with a two-year-old daughter with autism and sight problems, as well as a 10 month old. Bec never lets this get in her way of making sure Bella is getting the best possible attention from the specialist she needs. They have to travel up to an hour each way to make all her appointments, which are nearly every day. Bella is a beautiful little girl because of all the time and love her mother gives her. Nothing will stop Bec from helping Bella be the best she can be no matter how far she has to go with two babies in tow. On top of all this Bec is a fantastic wife and friend and would do anything for anyone. Thanks Carrie for sharing Rebecca's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"Christmas 2008 at mum's house"
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28 November 2009We have chosen Richard Anderson-Bell from Mount Morgan, QLD as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Donna Anderson from Mount Morgan, QLD Donna's Top Tip: "If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything! Kids are our future!" Why Donna deserves to win: Our mum rocks, just ask our family the cousin that lives with us who is in care and our town, youth shed, especially my school, my sisters school and even our kindergarten where she’s only too happy to volunteer and give a hand wherever or whenever she can. She is the one the family usually ask for help or advice or turn to and she is usually spot on, she is always there. She has helped keep my cousin’s family together at least in the same town and with other family members along with us and it isn’t the first time. Our house, since I can remember has always and still is full of cousins and friends wanting to sleep or wanting to just come up and hang out with us, she always puts everyone’s feelings or needs before her own and never says no to anybody needing helping out. Sometimes I know mum gets stressed but you can never tell she deals with it and is always smiling, happy sometimes, a bit crazy and me and my sisters love her - OUR MUM! Thanks Richard for sharing Donna's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"Our Mum & my sister Serenity-Alice - photo taken recently from our 1st holiday ever for my birthday!"
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21 November 2009We have chosen Leanne Shaw from Bentley Park, QLD as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Fiona Sterritt from Bentley Park, QLD Fiona's Top Tip: "There is always a better tomorrow" Why Fiona deserves to win: My mother has never stopped caring for her kids! I am the youngest and a Bart Simpson at times and she has never given up on me or any of us. Through money troubles she would make us feel rich, through troubled or sick times she would never leave our sides for a second. Every call and she would be there. Now after 25 years of being a mother, four kids and she still keeps up, and is even ahead of us. She never leaves or goes to bed without saying I love you, she always knows exactly what to do or what’s wrong even without us doing or saying anything. She is the most remarkable person and mother. My siblings and I believe that my mother is the best person to win Mother of the Year. She is everything and the best. There is no one like my mum. Thanks Leanne for sharing Fiona's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"At my 18th birthday party, talking and having fun with my friends"
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14 November 2009We have chosen Kate Fuller from Rozelle, NSW as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Leonie Sutton from North Haven, NSW Leonie's Top Tip: "Think everything through before jumping into something." Why Leonie deserves to win: My mother has stuck by me through thick and thin. From raising me as a single parent, to marrying my amazing stepfather and leaving him for a year whilst moving halfway across the country to be with me, to now living the life she always dreamed of and deserved. I have bad luck with making bad decisions in life and no matter what she has helped me out in any way possible from housing, food, clothes, travel and even the last $50 in her bank sometimes. She works hard in everything at life, she is studying to become a real estate agent and she looks after two very special dogs. She raised me up to be a happy young adult, with amazing childhood memories. I could never ask for a better mother. Thanks Kate for sharing Leonie's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"At my 21st Birthday with my Mum"
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07 November 2009We have chosen Rick Stephens from Heathridge, WA as our Nominator of the Week for nominating their mum, Jillian Stephens from Heathridge, WA Jillian's Top Tip: "As long as you are happy" Why Jillian deserves to win: Jill is my mum. She started her family very young and practically brought us up on her own – Dad worked hard, and she worked harder making sure there was food on the table, the house was clean and us kids were good. Mum to me is like an angel from the gods with a job to do on this earth. She loves everyone and anything. From work to helper and no time or relaxation for herself. She is the first person to help in any situation. Even though we are all now in our thirties, Mum is there for us at the drop of a hat. She’s a rock. With the family, she's always putting herself out there with helping out my sisters kids and any other job that needs attention. Jill is an outstanding mum who just has a heart of gold. 150 words are not near enough for my angel mum. I swear she has wings. Thanks Rick for sharing Jillian's story with us, we hope you enjoy your selection of chocolates, thanks to Lindt of Switzerland! |
"Taken of Jill in 2008 at my wedding"
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