Chauntell McNamara has been named the ACT Barnardos Mother of the Year 2015 at an award ceremony this morning.

ACT Minister for Women Yvette Berry congratulated Ms McNamara on her dedication and commitment to children, particularly children at risk and children of asylum seekers.

“It is a great occasion to acknowledge the enormous contribution mothers make in ensuring our kids are able to grow up in secure, loving and stable homes,” Ms Berry said.

“Barnardo’s is an important partner of the ACT Government, providing an extensive range of services including foster care to support vulnerable families and keep children safe.”

Each year Barnardos Australia recognises and rewards the importance of excellent parenting through the Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards.

As ACT Mother of the Year, Ms McNamara will be our nominee for the national awards to be held in Sydney on 7 May 2015.

“In this their twentieth year, these awards continue to highlight the important role of mothers – as carers, teachers, mentors and leaders in our community.

“The aim of these awards is to publicly acknowledge the vital role mothers play in society and also raise public awareness of the role Barnardo’s plays in many children’s lives,” Ms Berry said.

Minister Berry thanked and acknowledged all the Canberra Barnardos Mother of the Year nominees for their inspiring dedication to motherhood nurturing our children.