Mancell Financial Group would like to congratulate our own Carol Edmunds on being named 2017 Barnardos Mother of the Year.
Carol was named the winner of the title at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday. For those who work with Carol at MFG it was a fantastic surprise as we huddled around a screen in the office to watch the announcement, however her selflessness comes as no surprise.
Thirty years ago, as a young wife, Carol decided to raise her husband’s eight-year-old sister who had just lost her mother to suicide.
Carol treated her sister-in-law as her daughter, filling in for her late mother throughout her teens, twenties and thirties.
“Growing up, I never wanted for anything; they fed me, clothed me, took care of my schooling and, most importantly, loved and cared for me,” says Kelly Haywood, who nominated Carol for the award.
Kelly, now 38, credits her success as an adult to the love and support she received from Carol growing up.
“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,” she said.
In 2013, Kelly was awarded the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year for her achievements as a Lieutenant Commander responsible for Marine Logistics in the Australian Navy.
When Kelly became a mother herself, last year, Carol was with her every step of the way.
Carol, now 53, was shocked after winning the national award.
“I can’t believe this. It was such an honour to be announced as the Tasmanian Mother of the Year — but to go on and take the national title is so overwhelming,” she said.
“There are so many great mums out there, doing what they need to do — and I have been so lucky to meet the select seven other state finalists over the course of this week.
“I am truly honoured, and I just want to say thank you to all my family, my friends and to the team at Barnardos Australia.
“It’s such a beautiful award and I will hold it dear for the rest of my life.”
With content from The Mercury
