Three of Canberra’s unsung heroes were recognised on Monday with the awarding of the Barnardos ACT Mother of the Year award.
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Of the three finalists, Belinda Nunn was named the winner, having raised three biological daughters as well as one niece since she was a baby and playing a large role in the upbringing of another niece since the death of her own twin sister.
Ms Nunn was just 26 and the mother of a six-month-old baby when she fought to take over the care of her three-month-old niece, Takisha after her parents were deemed unsuitable.
Now 37, Mrs Nunn has had two more daughters, and also taken a large role in raising another niece since the death of her sister in 2007, while working for her husband’s business and coaching her daughters’ netball teams.
The Isabella Plains mother was nominated for the award by her step-mother, Beth Brandy who called her “a force to be reckoned with”.
“Takisha’s parents had some problems and Belinda fought to keep her in the family … [she’s] been with her now for the best part of 11 years and she’s grown into a beautiful young lady thanks to Belinda,” Ms Brandy said.
“Takisha’s had opportunities she otherwise wouldn’t have had … that was a life saved.”
Ms Nunn said the nomination came as a shock, but seeing her story written down “I realised I’ve done a lot”.
“Every mum faces challenges every day keeping up with society and work as well as keep their kids going with sports and occupied so they don’t get into any mischief, I just do what I do every day,” Mrs Nunn said.
The other nominees we Mary Ryan-Baker, a former police officer and dedicated mum of six who regularly looks after a local homeless man, and 31-year-old Lauren Irvine.
Ms Irvine is a committee member of Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation which supports parents of critically ill children, something she knows a lot about.
Her first son Harry was diagnosed in utero as having a tumour on his spine, and has undergone many major and minor surgeries as well as chemotherapy in his first 6 years. He now needs a kidney transplant, which his mum is preparing to donate.
Barnardos Canberra senior manager Annette Kelly-Egerton said there were around 2000 nominees nationally for the Mother of the Year Award, with Mrs Nunn now in the running for the national award.
“I think it’s always amazing what some women have endured. They’ve come through it and [to see] what their contribution back into the community is, I think it’s just amazing,” she said.
