I was very honoured to represent Nepean News recently when I was asked to be a judge in the Mother of The Year award at the Nepean Foundation’s Annual Mothers Day Ball. 

Presented by the Penrith & Nepean Rotary club, the sold-out event was held at St Marys Band Club last month.

The focus was to raise awareness and funds to assist in furthering medical research, clinical innovation and staff education and training which is supported by the Nepean Foundation for our community. 

There were amazing raffle and auction prizes, and the fabulous rock band, The Frocks had everyone on their toes!  The MC for the night was former Minister and Penrith MP Stuart Ayres, who is now the CEO of UDIA.

There were four finalists for the The Mother of the Year and it was a tough decision for myself and fellow judges Andrew Paech from Westcare and former Senator Marise Payne. 

The winner was Chantal Faulkner, who was nominated by her daughter Tenesha. 

Tenesha has spent many years in and out of hospital and said her mother has been by her bedside for in excess of 20 surgeries. Congratulations to Chantal! 

Those in attendance dug deep for a great cause and raised a whopping $48,000!

The major sponsor on the night was St Marys Diggers and Band Club.  The applause was thunderous when the Band Club’s CEO, Marlene Shipley announced further support with a $10,000 donation taking the total funds raised to $58,000!

Special thanks go out to Joh Dickens from Rotary and the support given by members of Penrith and Nepean Rotary.

The Nepean Foundation is extremely honoured to have been afforded the support given in raising these much-needed funds.