Motherhood will be celebrated in Victoria with a new award, in recognition of inspirational everyday mums and mother figures across the state.
The initiative by global youth movement ‘the Y ‘ aims to honour remarkable everyday mothers and role models, who have made a profound impact in communities and on young people.
“For 70 years the Y has been celebrating Victorian fathers and father figures, and acknowledging their long lasting impact on the hearts and the lives of young people”, the Y Victoria’s CEO, Carolyn Morris said during the launch of the Victorian Mother of the Year award, last week.
“The question you might be thinking is how can we name just one mother over the others?” Morris said. “This is not about judging mums. It is about asking our whole community to notice the effort and energy, and let’s face it, the sheer hard work it takes to raise children. One mother will be selected to represent the other mums nominated. They will be an everyday mum, they will be relatable, inspirational figures who make a profound impact in our communities and on young people.”
The goal is for everyone nominated to feel special
In the Greek community there are many amazing mothers, grandmothers, role models who go above and beyond to make a difference to the young people in their lives.
The goal, Morris said, is for everyone nominated, to feel special. To feel that someone took the time to say ‘Thank you. We noticed all your hard work.’
Jo Stanly, broadcaster, columnist and mum who was key note speaker at the launch, spoke candidly about the joys of motherhood in all its forms. She said that by recognising the Victorian Mother of the Year, we are inspired to acknowledge the mothers and mother figures in our own lives.
“Of course there is not one kind of mother or mother figure. But common to those who mother, is extraordinary love, strength and resilience. And exhaustion, chaos, occasional crabbiness, and a selflessness that means it’s up to us all to celebrate these important people in our lives and communities,” she said.
For those considering nominating a mother figure in their lives – she may be a mentor or a colleague, a relative or role model doing amazing things for young people – you have until 26 April, 5pm, to submit your nomination.
The winner of the inaugural Victorian Mother of the Year will be announced at a ceremony at the Melbourne Town Hall on Friday 10 May.