With intimate dinner.

Winners of the 2018 Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards were flown to Sydney for a one-week VIP experience. As part of its partnership with the Awards, Whirlpool hosted an intimate dinner with ambassador Scott Gooding.

The week ended with the National Awards, where Whirlpool joined other national sponsors and media to honour these women, and included a keynote address by Australia’s First Lady, Lucy Turnbull.

Whirlpool Oceania managing director, Neil Fonseca and trade marketing manager, Peter Damevski attended the ceremony and met each nominated Mother of the Year.

“Our dinner together was our way of thanking these mothers on a very personal level. After hearing each of the finalists’ stories from the State Awards, we felt compelled to personally say thank you for the difference they make to their families’ lives and their communities,” Whirlpool Oceania general manager of marketing, Liam Bryers said.

“Our involvement in these awards reflects our broader desire to support and celebrate Aussie parenting, which is also tied into a very significant charitable partner doing great work nationally. And on a personal level it was an honour for our team to meet and spend time with these truly remarkable people,” he added.

NSW mum Noelene Lever won the overall title of 2018 Barnardos Mother of the Year. She has dedicated her life to caring for children from all walks of life. As a young widow, Noelene raised five children while working two jobs. She has been heavily involved with the Aboriginal Community in Redfern for decades, and has worked with the Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Children’s Services and Gulamar. She has also fostered more than 50 children, some until adulthood, and in her remarks upon receiving the award, proclaimed ‘Love doesn’t cost a thing, and my door will never close.”