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Beerwah resident wins Mother of the Year Award |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 06 May 2005 |
A Beerwah resident has just won a prize in Retravision?s Mother of the
Year competition, receiving a voucher for $1000 to be spent at
nominated stores
Jan Collins, who turned 60 yesterday, won the state-wide event?s Wide Bay division after her youngest daughter Rebekah nominated her for the help and support she provides to family, friends, the Church and community as a whole.
She successfully triumphed over other competitors from Bundaberg to Beerwah! ?It came as a complete shock as my youngest hadn?t mentioned that she had put me forward,? Jan said. ?She surprised me with the news whilst I was in the middle of a game of miniputt!?
Earlier Jan and seven other winners received prizes from the Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce. She is the nominated patron of the award, which is funded by Retravision, Bank of Queensland, Wallace Bishop, John Le Court and the Myer Centre Brisbane.
And the ladies went on to enjoy a luxurious weekend courtesy of the Conrad Treasury Hotel, in the heart of Brisbane, during which they were escorted around the Royal Brisbane Women?s Hospital. This hospital?s research foundation for premature babies was a recipient of funds generated by the competition. ?Some of these little bubs are born so early and one of them weighed just 375 grams,? Jan said. ?The foundation does fantastic work as the wards can have up to 60 babies some as much as 14 weeks premature.?
The competition attracted hundreds of nominees but daughter Rebekah?s letter, which was reviewed by a panel of judges, really touched their hearts and Jan got the kudos she deserved.
The letter had to describe how the nominee touched dependants, family and the community. Jan, who has four children and six grandchildren to look after, has always devoted her life to helping others through her faith. Jan and her husband are active members of the local Glasshouse Community Church. ?My main reason for living is to help others,? Jan said. ?We reach into the community with the things that we do and show love for our fellow men.?
Jan is also part of a high school youth group and often looks after the kids at her home, offering them food, accommodation and advice. Often she said she needs to counsel unfortunates with family, drug and alcohol related problems. And children who have suffered abuse at the hands of their own families. Jan has also been supportive of single mothers in the area, helping out wherever she can. ?I?ve been a mum to other mums,? she said. ?I also try and help resolve marriage issues.?
Jan, who successfully battled cancer in both 2000 and 2003, also provides support to other people struck down with the disease, which could be described as a modern day plague. ?Cancer shadows your life and it has to be taken as a day by day journey,? she said. ?I?m able to help people because I have empathy with them as I have been there myself.? Jan said she was thrilled with the prize and that it was wonderful to have her efforts recognized in such a way.
Jan, who has four children and six grandchildren to look after, has always devoted her life to
helping others through her faith.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 May 2005 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
