Congratulations  to Ferny Creek resident  Sam Jackel, who was presented with the Barnardos Mother of the Year 2014 Victoria award. The Barnardos Mother of the Year is the  largest and most recognised of the national awards celebrating motherhood. I will read from the citation:

  …  Sam, as her friends and family know her, is  a 45-year-old mother of five  teenage kids aged 14-18 years  and has been like  a mum to Beverley, 35  years  old. Sam  and her  husband took  Beverley, a  teenager at the time, into their  home when they had four children all under the age of three.  Without the love  and kindness from Sam, Beverley would have been forced to live on the streets.  Beverley is  the first to admit that  she wouldn’t be the  person she is today  without Sam’s guidance, love and support over the years.

Congratulations, Sam.