State and Territory Winners 2010

On Friday, 25th March 2010 Jakelin Verran of Casey was named the Barnardos ACT Mother of the Year for 2010 at a morning team ceremony in Canberra. She was presented with her award by Senator Gary Humphries.

The past few years have been both euphoric and tragic for 27-year-old Jakelin. In September 2008, she gave birth to Kobi – a brother to her two young foster children aged three and two. Then, tragically, in February 2009 her husband John suffered a fatal heart attack whilst driving. Suddenly Jakelin was a single mum with three young children under three years old. Without hesitation Jakelin had taken them in at aged five months and 28 days respectively. Whilst there have been many tough times, through Jakelin’s dedication and determination they are now healthy, happy children who are thriving.

Jakelin says even though it’s been a difficult year her children have given her the strength to carry on. “Watching each child grow and develop is the most rewarding and fulfilling experience in the world,” she says.

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At a special ceremony at Parliament House in Sydney on Monday, 29th March 2010, Sandra Hunt of Bolwarra Heights was presented with the Barnardos' NSW Mother of the Year Award by The Hon Kristina Keneally, Premier of NSW.

At six weeks old Sandra, who is indigenous, was adopted by a white family. She says she never felt any different to her siblings and it was her adopted mother, also a foster carer, who inspired her to foster herself. With three children of her own, Sandra felt she had more love to give and eagerly fostered two children - then two more soon followed. All of the children she has fostered have behavioural problems and one has disabilities, however, due to Sandra's love, dedication and compassion the children have blossomed. Sandra also embraces her indigenous heritage and volunteers for the Land Council monthly meetings. She encourages all her children to also become familiar with and understand the Aboriginal culture. “I knew what I wanted to do and I am in exactly the right place doing what I love best,” Sandra says.

“Sandra has a natural way with children," says Deborah Gorman, Sandra's friend who nominated her. "All the children are thriving due to Sandra’s support and devotion to them. They now have a stability and normality in their lives that they didn’t have before."

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Charmaine Mann of Tannum Sands was named the Barnardos' Queensland Mother of the Year at a morning tea ceremony, proudly sponsored by the Queensland Government, in Brisbane on Wednesday, 31st March 2010. She was presented with her award by Minster Phil Reeves, Minister for Child Safety and Sport.

Charmaine’s home has always been filled with children. With six biological children, now aged 20 to 31, her door was always open to any child who needed a roof over their heads, a shoulder to lean on or just somewhere to hang out while they sorted things out with their family. Some of the children Charmaine has assisted have had drug issues or come from drug affected households and she has successfully put them back on the straight and narrow. At one stage there were 15 people in her home!

Known as “Aunty Mum”, “Mum Mann”, or “Aunty Nana” Charmaine has never asked for government assistance for all the extra children and respite children she’s taken in. She just worked longer hours and a variety of jobs including delivering pamphlets and picking macadamias to make ends meet – often taking the children with her to show them you don’t get anything for nothing. Her daughter Emma who nominated her says her mum has made such an impact on so many people lives. “She’s a miracle worker. She’s so patient and caring and always has the right advice.”

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 On Tuesday, 6 April 2010 Jenny Piemontese of Sandford was presented with the Barnardos' Tasmanian Mother of the Year Award by Senator David Bushby, at an emotional morning tea ceremony in Hobart.

Looking after the most vulnerable in our community is of paramount importance to Jenny. So five years ago whilst pregnant with her third child, Jenny started fostering. Since then she has fostered around 15 children, most of whom were premature babies who suffered drug and alcohol withdrawal. Jenny says it was wonderful to see the babies get stronger each day but it was extremely tough to give them back as most of them had been in her care for at least 12 months. She currently has two foster children in her care – a four year old boy and a seven week old girl.

Jenny was also a volunteer for three years for Lifeline providing counselling and support for another vulnerable section of the community. Last year, Jenny won the Tasmanian and National Pride of Australia medal for “care and compassion.” She says it enabled her to draw attention to foster caring and the importance of building positive relationships for challenged children, their parents and the carers.

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At a morning tea ceremony in Melbourne on Wednesday, 7th April 2010 Gina Scuffins of Ross Creek was named the Barnardos' Victorian Mother of the Year for 2010. She was presented with her award by Li Cunxin, the 2009 Father of the Year and author of the best selling autobiography Mao's Last Dancer.

Being a single mum for almost 20 years has not deterred Gina from adopting and fostering children. With one biological son now aged 25, Gina felt she could provide children in need a better life in a stable, loving family. Sam, who nominated her, was adopted from the Philippines by Gina 21 years ago when he was nine months old and she has fostered many children over the years on both a short and long-term basis. She currently has a 17 year old boy in her permanent care as well as a brother and sister aged six and eight.

Gina also runs a 40 acre farm where she breeds miniature ponies and looks after her elderly mother who also lives on the property. In 2003, Gina suffered a severe back injury and was bedridden for six months. Despite her own pain, Gina continued to care for all the children and even took in additional foster children.

“Not many people can change the world,” says Sam. “Mum changed all our lives for the best. She’s my hero!”

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On Friday, 9th April 2010 Curly Corlett from Flagstaff Hill was presented with the Barnardos' South Australian Mother of the Year Award by Senator Simon Birmingham, at a morning tea ceremony in Adelaide.

Curly has touched and changed the lives of many children. As well as raising her own two children, over the past 20 years she has fostered countless children of varying ages and backgrounds, whilst ministering in some of the roughest suburbs in Melbourne. Curly has since adopted three of the children she initially fostered. Two of them are indigenous siblings Les and Allison, now in their late 30s, whose dying father specifically asked Curly to care for them. The other is 20 year old Becky who came to Curly when she was just 10 days old and has Down Syndrome. Over the past few years Becky has suffered several massive strokes and then a virus left her with holes in her heart. Becky now requires constant care as she has lost her speech and needs to be fed pureed food.

Additionally, Curly has suffered her own adversities. Three years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer which she has thankfully beaten. Then last year her beloved husband of 41 years, Ian, passed away after a massive stroke, leaving Curly as the sole carer and provider for Becky. “She is the most caring, loving and giving person I know,” says her friend Rebecca who nominated her.

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At a morning tea ceremony in Perth on Monday, 12th April 2010 Kaye Worth from Gosnells was named the Western Australian Mother of the Year and presented with her award by Minister Robyn McSweeney.

At 68, with her own three children married with their own families, Kaye should be taking time out for herself. Instead, she started fostering 15 years ago and has fostered more than 50 babies and children, some with disabilities, as well as providing respite care. She currently has a new born baby in her care. At various times, her home has also been a haven for family friends, neighbourhood children and also homeless people from the hostel where her husband used to work. Such is Kaye’s caring and loving nature that no matter how long she has a baby in her care – whether it’s just a few days or months – she puts together a photo album of the baby’s development to give to the biological parents.

“Kaye has an extraordinary love and has given numerous babies a wonderful start in life that they might otherwise not had,” says her grand-daughter Amy who nominated her. “When anyone ever needs anything she makes it happen – whether its baby equipment for a refugee family or helping a new mum feed her baby. She is an inspiration to many.”

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On Wednesday, 14th April 2010 Monika Schaefe from Moulden was named the Northern Territory's Mother of the Year at a morning tea ceremony in Darwin.

Monika is single mum to eight biological children, now aged eight to 30, however she has also raised many more children. Whether they were street kids who needed somewhere to stay, whether they stayed for a few days or many years, Monika never turned anyone away no matter how tight money was. On some occasions food has been so limited that they had to survive on Weetbix for four days but the togetherness of the family pulled everyone through.

Her daughter Sherrona who nominated her says her mum’s generous and giving nature is unconditional. “She would sleep on the floor, so the children could have a bed and has gone without any luxuries all her life to make sure all the children in her care have food and clothes. She is non- judgemental and is patient and accepting of everyone.” 

Monika now works as a Psychological Rehabilitation Worker at TEAM Health (the Top End Association for Mental Health) and is active in community work within the local church assisting with her time, support and services when required.

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