State & Territory Winners 2009

On Friday, 27 March 2009 mother of eight, Julia Rollings, was presented with her award as the Barnardos ACT Mother of the Year at a morning tea ceremony in Canberra by the ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.

Julia was nominated by her friend Helen Fenwick who says she is, "an inspiration and a champion for children's rights." Six of Julia's children have been adopted from overseas. One of the children is also autistic and blind.

 A few years ago Julia and her husband discovered that their two youngest children had been sold for $50 by their biological father in India – unbeknownst to their biological mother. Through Julia’s determination and courage she successfully reunited the children with their biological mother and siblings and they all continue to maintain close contact. Julia has written a book “Love Our Way” recounting this amazing and heartfelt story and she says that family always comes first.

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Christina Cross from St Clair was presented with the Barnardos NSW Mother of the Year Award by NSW Premier Nathan Rees at a morning tea ceremony in Sydney on Monday, 30 March 2009.

Keeping family together is of paramount importance to Christina. Five years ago, when a relative was no longer able to care for her five children, Christina unhesitatingly took them in. Despite having two children of her own she fought to keep the children together and give them a proper childhood.

The children have flourished under her care and despite her own health problems and suffering the loss of her mother and her brother, Christina has been resolute in her dedication to the children, always putting their needs before her own. "Mum was on the verge of getting her life back," says her daughter, Tracy, who nominated her. "But she put all that on hold so that the children could have a proper childhood and not be separated."

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On Tuesday, 31 March 2009 Bernadette Black (pictured left with her family) was named the Barnardos Tasmanian Mother of the Year at a morning tea ceremony presented by Heather Butler MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

When Bernadette fell pregnant at 16 she promised herself she would be a good mother, complete her education and write a book to help and encourage others in her situation. Now at 32, she has fulfilled her promises. She now has three children aged 15, seven and four and wrote a book called 'Brave Little Bear' - the meaning of her name - that champions motherhood. A regular speaker at schools and community events Bernadette also set up a website providing advice and support on teenage and unexpected pregnancy.

"She works tirelessly to show single mums how life's adversities can be turned into positives and that with support and encouragement anything is possible," says Bernadette's son Damien, who nominated her. "But she also always has time for her own kids and makes us all feel very special - and she makes great choc chip cookies!"

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At a special morning tea ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday, 2 April 2009 Pamela Deacon of Southbank was name the Barnardos Victorian Mother of the Year and presented with her award by the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development and Women's Affairs, Maxine Morand.

Pamela’s love of children and determination to have a large family meant that she underwent 16 years of IVF treatment to have five children – one of whom is blind and has cerebral palsy and needs round the clock care. Seven years ago, during a school excursion to Vietnam, Pamela’s daughter Alice contracted an undiagnosed illness and still requires regular hospitalisation.

Pamela has also fostered numerous children and is currently trying to organise a social group for young disabled adults who are not able to attend day placements. “Mum has the wonderful ability to turn a negative situation into a positive,” said her daughter Alice who nominated her.

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Jeka Malbasa was presented with her award as the Barnardos South Australian Mother of the Year by Frances Bedford, Member for Florey, at a morning tea ceremony in Adelaide on Monday, 6 April 2009.

Jeka is a true survivor and a fighter for her family. Originally from Croatia, she and her husband had four children before tragedy struck. Civil war broke out in 1994 and her husband was killed. Jeka survived four years of a bloody civil war that tore up her country on her own in a refugee camp caring for her four young sons, who were all under 14 at the time. Jeka worked in labour intensive jobs, found bomb shelters to keep them safe and often went hungry in order to feed her boys. She eventually managed to flee to Australia. "She endured hunger, poverty, sickness, disease and personal grief to come to Australia and provide a better life for her children," said her son Daniel, now 22, who nominated her.

Jeka now helps other Serbian migrants settle into Australia and has never remarried, preferring instead to dedicate her time to her children. 

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At a morning tea cermony in Perth on Wednesday, 8 May, Vicki Badger from Busselton was presented with her award as the Barnardos' WA Mother of the Year. She was presented with her award by the Minster for Communities Services, Robyn McSweeney.

Vicki says she’s wanted to be a mum since she was five. A single mum for the past 14 years, to her three biological children, who are now 29, 24 and 21, she has also been a carer to more than 150 emergency short and long-term foster children. Enduring a violent marriage for 20 years, Vicki now helps others who have gone through a similar
ordeal. She has also worked with local special needs children, many child support agencies and has travelled to remote aboriginal communities to assist with building and health projects. Vicki is currently caring for an 11 year old special needs boy on a permanent basis. Her son Kit, who nominated her, says his mum is, “a legend and a champion. She is there for anyone who may need some guidance or support.”

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On Tuesday, 14 April 2009 Joan Stokes of Adelaide River was presented with the Barnardos Northern Territory Mother of the Year Award by His Honour Mr Tom Pauling AO QC, Administrator of the Northern Territory, at a morning tea ceremony in Darwin.

From the age of 17, Joan Stokes, a full blooded indigenous woman could not bear to witness the local indigenous children suffering from neglect. Joan made a decision to place her own young life on hold and instead dedicated all her efforts to love, care and protect these children in trouble. Over 31 years she has raised 34 children as well as her own four children and an adopted boy. Joan's ambition was to save these children from street life, educate them and provide them with the chance to grow and develop safely.

Joan’s skills in art and story writing have always provided a positive starting point. Joan’s greatest  dream is to create a sanctuary on her property, to continue her work with disadvantaged indigenous children but she is finding it difficult to get funding for the project. Even though she is sick and money is scarce, Joan refuses to give up on these children.

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Barbara Pope from Blenheim became Queensland's Mother of the Year at a morning tea ceremony in Brisbane on Thursday, 16 April. She was presented with her award by The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO.

Despite having three children of her own, Barbara Pope has fostered and adopted children from desperate situations since 1977. Short-term, long-term, emergency care and pre-adoption – infants were rarely turned away. One of Barbara’s strongest beliefs is that equality and respect for others is paramount – especially those less fortunate.

Money has always been tight and Barbara’s life is always busy, from running holiday camps to rodeos but for her it is love and support that matters and no birthday or special occasion ever went forgotten. She may be small in stature but as Barbara herself says, “special things come in small packages and you only get out of life what you put into it.”

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