Our best mum

By Emma Sun
SHARON Bailey of Lynbrook was one of three finalists in Barnardos’ Victorian Mother of the Year for 2011, chosen from more than a thousand nominees.
The mother of eight was nominated by her mother Maxine Burley and was very touched by the gesture.
“I was very shocked and because my mum had nominated me, it’s a good feeling when your own mum thinks you’re a good mum,” Ms Bailey said.
“I feel honoured and proud that my mum was proud of me.”
Being chosen out of thousands of other Victorian mums wasn’t an easy feat, but Ms Bailey is modest about being in that position.
“I was more than happy to be in the top 100,” she said.
“For me, that was more than I could ask for. Being in that last three was way past my expectations.”
The 40-year-old was left a widow seven years ago and had to raise three children under the age of seven on her own. They are now 10, 12 and 15.
Not soon after, she fostered two children, a Cambodian brother and sister, who are now 16 and 19.
“My initial fostering started not long after I lost my husband,” she said.
“I found the house in the evening particularly quiet so I took them in because it would bring some older kids to the home and make some company for me.
“The kids have become a part of the family and I couldn’t imagine life without them.”
The 19-year-old girl now lives independently.
Ms Bailey also cares permanently for a seven-year-old girl who came from a traumatic background and still suffers from night terrors and needs a lot of reassurance.
Her partner Steve moved in six months ago and brought his children aged 9, 10 and 15 with him, so the couple now care for eight children.
“It’s hectic but I just feel what I do is normal,” Ms Bailey said.
“Part of being a mum is running your kids to sport, being able to attend special days at school and just being there when they need you, trying to pick them up when they’ve had a fall. It’s just part of life; I couldn’t imagine not doing it.”
Ms Bailey wishes the Victorian winner of Mother of the Year, Dianne Brown of Preston, all the best.
“I will be following her on the website. Go Victoria!” she said.