MOTHER’S DAY
On Mother’s Day, we celebrate all mothers across Australia – but we’ve chosen three very special women who have and continue to make a difference in the lives of all children – not just their own.
Across the country, there are remarkable mothers who have turned their deep compassion and lived experience into powerful action - founding charities dedicated to caring for children and giving them a stronger start in life. Driven by love and a fierce sense of purpose, these women are creating safe, nurturing spaces where children can thrive — not just medically but socially and emotionally, too.
Their work goes beyond business; it’s a mission to rewrite futures. Whether offering healthcare support, early education, or community programs, these mother-led ventures are bridging gaps and building brighter, more connected communities. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate their stories - stories of courage, resilience, and the belief that every child deserves a chance to grow up healthy, supported, and full of possibility.
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SUSAN BARTON
Susan Barton AM is a pioneering Australian leader and a passionate advocate for disadvantaged young people. Over 40 years ago, after a transformative volunteer experience in a Sri Lankan orphanage, Susan began caring for vulnerable youth in her own home. These humble beginnings became the foundation for the Lighthouse Foundation for Homeless Youth, where she still serves as Founder and Director.
Drawing on her experience as a foster parent (and in consultation with the Lighthouse Foundation psychologist), Susan developed the Therapeutic Family Model of Care—a trauma-informed, family-style support. This innovative model has positioned the Lighthouse Foundation as a national leader in youth homelessness, helping over 1,350 previously disengaged young people become independent, thriving members of the community.
Susan is also a respected author, having co-written two books on self-esteem and therapeutic care for children and young people. Her unwavering belief is that homelessness is a societal issue—one that we can and must solve together. She reminds us that a society is best measured by how it treats its most vulnerable and continues to champion a more compassionate, trauma-informed response to youth homelessness.
Beyond her work with the Lighthouse Foundation, Susan currently serves as Deputy Chair of MECWACare (Aged Care), she is a founding member of the Founders Group for Emerging Founders and Collaborative Support Services.
Her extraordinary contributions have earned her widespread recognition, including the 1998 Australian Humanitarian Award, 2009 Melburnian of the Year, the 2011 SACS Not-for-Profit Leadership Award, and the Brainlink Women of Achievement Award. She received the Centenary Medal in 2001 and was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2002. In 2012, she was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood is an intricate journey of love, sacrifice, and boundless joy. It shapes not only your children but also you, stretching your heart in unimaginable ways. Every touch, word, and choice pours into them—moulding their kindness, confidence, and compassion. This love is a legacy, rippling into their future relationships and the kindness they share. To nurture so completely is both breathtaking and humbling. Yet, no matter how much time you have, it never feels like enough.
“A MOTHER’S LOVE IS LIMITLESS—ALWAYS GIVING, ALWAYS GROWING, ALWAYS YEARNING FOR JUST ONE MORE MOMENT.”
How has being a mother influenced or shaped you in your professional role?
Motherhood has profoundly shaped my professional approach, deepening my empathy, patience, and commitment to nurturing growth. It has taught me the value of active listening and mentoring, recognising that those I support are like my own children in their potential and need for guidance. I often ask myself: How would I want my child to be treated by their leader? This perspective drives me to lead with compassion, invest in emotional well-being, and create an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
What has been your most rewarding moment as a mother, but also your professional role?
The moment you first hold your child is life-changing— pure, unconditional love. I felt that same love holding an abandoned child in Sri Lanka. In that instant, I knew they deserved the same care I’d want for my own. If no one else would stand up, I had to. That moment became my purpose - to love, fight, and protect vulnerable children. As my children watch me, they, too, have grown into compassionate individuals, carrying that love forward.
What is one piece of advice you would give to mothers balancing work and family life?
Raising six children - many years as a single mother - has been my greatest and most demanding work. I never separated my love for my children from my work, always staying present where I was needed most. But my children, and now my twelve grandchildren, have always come first. Through it all, I’ve learned some simple truths: Be kind to yourself. Choose a supportive partner. Forgive quickly. Love deeply - not just family, but strangers too. And above all, do as much as you can for others - because that’s what makes life truly meaningful.
If you could receive any gift this Mother’s Day, what would it be?
I dream of another donated home - a sanctuary where homeless and abused children can heal, feel loved, and rebuild their lives. I hope for a compassionate corporate partner or developer to help expand our Youth Resource Hub by securing the adjoining property. This space would offer not just shelter but a future, providing leadership training, employment opportunities, and purpose. Together, we can create lasting change - one young life at a time.
The Lighthouse Foundation is a registered charity creating pathways to end youth homelessness through care, support and community collaboration. The Lighthouse Foundation is non-denominational, independent, and delivers therapeutic homes and tailored programs to help young people heal, thrive and belong.
VISIT THE WEBSITE
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JESS WYER
Jess is the epitome of a natural mother – nurturing, generous, and endlessly compassionate. With over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, she’s deeply committed to the growth and well-being of children, and it shows in everything she does. Her warmth and generosity make her not only a wonderful mother but also a truly inspiring person.
Together with her husband Andrew, Jess has created a home filled with love, laughter, and belonging. They have three biological sons – Oscar, Angus, and Dylan – and have also adopted two children, Chloe and Oliver. But Jess’s care doesn’t stop there.
What really sets Jess apart is her extraordinary heart for others. Even with her full life at home and work, she finds the time and energy to give back to the wider community. For more than a decade, she has opened her home to over ten foster children, providing each with a safe, supportive, and loving environment – whether for a few days or over a year. She fosters through Berry Street, one of Australia’s longest-running independent child and family services organisations, which supports children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect, or violence. Berry Street delivers a wide range of programs across Victoria, including foster care, education, and therapeutic services – all closely aligned with Jess’s deep belief in the potential of every child.
She leads by example, showing her children the power of kindness and the importance of serving others. From the small, meaningful moments shared within her home to the broader impact of her advocacy and community work, Jess is the heart of her family and a quiet force for good in the world. Her love doesn’t just fill a home – it ripples far beyond it.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood means everything to me! I feel incredibly blessed to have three biological sons and two adopted children through foster care. To me, motherhood is about unconditional love, nurturing, and protection. It is the most precious gift one can ever receive… and give.
What has been your most rewarding moment as a mother?
One of the most rewarding moments of motherhood is seeing my children love and support our foster children. It’s a beautiful yet bittersweet journey, as welcoming them also means opening ourselves to unimaginable heartache. But through it all, the love and kindness my children show remind me of the incredible power of compassion and family.
“WATCHING THEM OPEN THEIR HEARTS TO EVERY CHILD WHO ENTERS OUR HOME - WHETHER FOR A WEEK OR A FEW YEARSFILLS ME WITH PRIDE...”
Who or what inspires you the most in your role as a mother?
I am deeply inspired by all my wonderful friends who are mothers as well. Each of us has our own unique approach to parenting, yet we share the same love and dedication to our children. It’s incredible how we can learn from one another, offering support, wisdom, and encouragement along the way. Motherhood is a journey best travelled with a strong community, and I’m grateful for the beautiful friendships that make it even more special.
What is one piece of advice you would give to mothers balancing work and family life?
Trust that everything will work out. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself - you can only do so much! Lean on your support network when you need to; we’re all in this together. As the saying goes – it takes a village to raise a child.
How has being a mother influenced or shaped you in your professional role?
Motherhood has truly enriched my professional journey! As an early childhood educator, it has given me a deep sense of empathy for other mothers and a genuine understanding of the daily challenges they face. With over 30 years of experience working with children, I feel confident in supporting the mothers around me, offering guidance, and fostering strong, lasting friendships. Motherhood and my career have gone hand in hand, shaping me into both a more compassionate educator and a more understanding friend.
If you could receive any gift this Mother’s Day, what would it be?
If I could have the perfect Mother’s Day gift, it would be a full day surrounded by all of my children—their laughter, their stories, just being together. There’d be delicious food we could all share, time to relax and soak in the little moments, and maybe even the joy of cuddling a baby (there’s nothing quite like that soft, sleepy warmth). Most of all, it would be a day free of chores or to-do lists.
Berry Street is one of Australia’s largest independent family service organisations, supporting children, young people and families experiencing poverty, violence and abuse. Founded in 1877, Berry Street has a long history of driving social change and continues to advocate for safer, healthier homes and stronger futures. VISIT THE WEBSITE
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AMANDA MANDIE
Amanda Mandie OAM is a passionate and tireless force in Australian philanthropy. With a background in journalism, event management, public relations, and marketing, she brings both expertise and heartfelt dedication to everything she does. One of her most meaningful contributions is the Koala Kids Foundation, born from a shared vision with her son, Nick.
In 2005, at just 13 years old, Nick made a remarkably selfless decision- to donate his Bar Mitzvah gifts to support children with cancer, hoping to bring joy and comfort to those facing incredibly difficult times. With the guidance of his mother, Mandy, this generous idea grew into Koala Kids- a volunteer-led organisation with a simple but powerful goal; to bring happy moments to young patients, their families, and the healthcare teams who care for them. In 2015, Koala Kids was formally established as an independent, volunteerdriven not-for-profit. Its vision is to touch every child and young person during cancer treatment in Victoria. At its heart, the Foundation’s mission remains clearproviding small things that bring comfort, joy, and meaningful moments during treatment.
Mandy’s warmth, empathy, and incredible ability to bring people together have made Koala Kids not just a respected charity, but a much-loved community of care and kindness. Beyond Koala Kids, she has played integral roles in the Snowdome Foundation, advancing blood cancer research, and End UCD, raising awareness of sudden unexplained cardiac deaths in young adults.
In 2021, Mandy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her extraordinary service to the community. A devoted mother to Nick and Daniella, who both love and admire her deeply, her legacy lives on in every joyful moment Koala Kids creates—proof that a mother’s love really can change the world.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood, to me, is having a hand in creating a life that is entirely dependent on me - a tiny person I nurture and guide until they’re ready to step out into the world on their own. It’s knowing that the wisdom and experience I’ve shared will go with them. Above all, motherhood is the deep pride I feel in raising that child.
How has being a mother influenced or shaped you in your professional role?
I love working with young people. I love learning from them and taking pride in their achievements. I also enjoy watching young people with whom I work taking pride in doing something that I had a hand in, or not. Maybe something that they sought and learned for themselves. The fact that every person is someone’s child always makes me stop and think about how that child might take their experience home to their parent.
“I’M INSPIRED BY THE DRIVE TO GIVE THE VERY BEST OF MYSELFAND BY THE JOY OF SEEING MY CHILD TAKE PRIDE IN SOMETHING THEY’VE ACCOMPLISHED, WHETHER IT’S SOMETHING THEY’VE LEARNED FROM ME OR DISCOVERED ON THEIR OWN.”
What is one piece of advice you would give to mothers balancing work and family life?
Be honest with yourself and let go of the need to be perfect in every role. If you’re working to grow and better yourself, remember - you can’t be everything to everyone, whether at work or home. Something will have to give, and it’s important to be mindful of not stretching yourself too thin. Set realistic goals and give yourself grace.
What has been your most rewarding moment as a mother, but also your professional role? My most rewarding moment as a mother has been seeing my child choose their life partner, loving and being loved by another person, settling down and having their first child. I struggle to see how anything can be more rewarding than seeing your child produce another child.
Throughout my career, I have always loved what I do so to identify the most rewarding moment in my professional life is impossible. There have always been so many highs for me from my early days as a cadet journalist, selling advertising and writing in the fashion industry to marketing roles, my own PR consultancy and over the past 30 years in philanthropy. The joy of having had a hand in the founding of Snowdome Foundation, End UCD (formerly Ross Dennerstein Foundation) and the 20 years since we founded Koala Kids – I have been very privileged and fortunate to be able to be in the right place at the right time, give back and enjoy the impact that I have been able to have on other people.
Koala Kids is a purpose-driven organisation creating happy moments for children and young people during cancer treatment. Koala Kids is built on values of happiness, empathy, respect and collaboration, bringing joy and support to families when they need it most.
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