Lily’s mum Louise Cooke is an oncology nurse. A single mum, Lily said her mum  had always put her and her younger brother Alexander, 15, first and supported their every step, including doing her best to ensure they could go to private school. 

Proud to share her story, Lily nominated her mum for Barnardos’ Mother of the Year celebration.

“As you I get older I really appreciate the little things she does a lot more. She took on a really big role last year (as acting unit manager) and her persistence was impressive,” Lily said. “One night mum was running, upset for some (interstate) children, grabbing anything she could – like skateboards and DVDs – from the house to help make their time in Ballarat a little easier. They had arrived with nothing.”

Lily's mum has always written notes for her for when she wakes up, or tucked into her lunch box. So Lily wrote an important note, a nomination, in return and detailed all the way her mum might not realise what an unbelievable job she was doing as a single parent and role model.

The nomination humbled Louise. Her job means she keeps unusual working hours but, as emotionally tough as her job could be, Louise draws inspiration from her patients.

“I look after a lot of mothers my age who are down to trying that last drug to spend more time with their kids, always putting their children first,” Louise said. “It’s amazing to see people at their most vulnerable, most concerned for their kids. I appreciate the little things, like that I do get to take my children to school every day.”

Little things like taking a walk together, sitting with her son while he is starting homework, or informal chats with her daughter are times Louise treasures. Candid honesty. Louise was proud in how her children were growing up – the choices they make, how they look after each other – but said she had great back-up from grandparents and close friends.

Barnardos’ Mother of the Year recognises Australian mums who make a big difference. Nominations close Sunday. Details motheroftheyear.com.au.