By ANEEKA SIMONIS
BEING a mother is a hard job.
But what makes Ferny Creek’s Samantha Jackel so special is her own journey, coming from a broken home herself, to now providing a safe and solid foundation for others.
She was last week named Victoria’s Barnardos Mother of the Year 2014.
Samantha was applauded by Barnardos Australia’s Manish Amin who presented her with the prestigious award on 8 April at The Department of Health Services in Melbourne.
“Samantha epitomises what these awards are all about and we are pleased to recognise her amazing gift for caring and nurturing our next generation,” she said.
Samantha is the mother of five teenagers, aged 14-18. But her care and support doesn’t stop there.
In her early twenties, Samantha and her husband saved then teenager Beverly from living on the streets while raising her four children under the age of three.
Beverly said she wouldn’t be the person she was today without Samantha’s generosity, love and guidance over the years.
When asked about what made her standout from the crowd, Ms Jackel seemed a little taken aback.
“That’s a tough question,” she said
“I didn’t even know I was nominated until I got a call four weeks ago.
“I guess that the judges saw that I, myself came from an abusive background and how I’ve turned it around and broken the cycle, by being able to provide a safe place for others.”
Channelling her experience for the greater good, Samantha has written a book about her life, “My Purple Pants” which has helped inspire strength in countless young victims.
She is also an international public speaker and has helped to raise over one million dollars spent on housing for orphans in Uganda over the past five years.
On advice for other mums Samantha said, “Your past doesn’t say who you are. No matter how you’ve been mothered yourself, you can turn that around and be the best mother.”
“It doesn’t define you; it releases you to be the best that you can be. When your past doesn’t define you, you don’t judge on circumstances, you see hope in them,” she said.
Viv Armstrong and Sandra Kelly were also commended as Victorian finalists for the annual award.
Samantha will be joining state finalists in Sydney for the three-day Barnardos Mother of the Year 2014 ceremony.
Aptly held days before Mother’s Day on May 9, the event will be held at the Doltone House in Pyrmont, presented by Nine’s Today show host Lisa Wilkinson and keynote speaker Mia Freedman.
Barnardos Australia is a non-government child protection charity, supporting kids through violence, poverty, homelessness and mental illness.
