Justine Keay (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With Mother's Day just a few weeks ago—and I hope every mother in this place and every mother around the country had a lovely, lovely day—I would like to congratulate Burnie mother Carol Edmunds, who was recently named as Barnardos Mother of the Year. This award recognises the role that mothers play in nurturing children to help them reach their full potential, and Carol has certainly gone above and beyond for her children.

Carol made the decision to take on her husband's eight-year-old sister, Kelly, following her mother's death. Raising Kelly as one of her own, Carol took care of Kelly's every need. With two sons of her own, Carol has ensured that Kelly has never missed out on having a mum. In fact, it was Kelly who nominated Carol. In her nomination she said:

Carol believed in me at times when I didn't believe in myself and she encouraged me to be whoever and whatever I wanted to be …

So it is no surprise that Carol was named Barnardos Mother of the Year, the first Tasmanian in eight years to be so. As a mother myself, I can see the great lengths that Carol has gone to to ensure that Kelly has been part of her family, and this award is testament to this. Congratulations, Carol, and to all the mothers out there who go above and beyond for their children.