Cowra knew it had a local hero in its midst but now the whole of Australia knows.
Darbys Falls foster mother and carer Lynne Sawyers has been named Australia’s Local Hero for 2012.
The award was presented to her by Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the national Australia Day awards ceremony last night in Canberra.
Lynne has shared her home, her family and her love with more than 200 children. For 15 years, she has been on call to care for lost, abused and bewildered children in heartbreaking circumstances.
Lynne first became interested in being a foster mother when she'd heard about a young girl in the area who'd run away from home. Her husband mentioned he'd seen the girl by the side of the road talking with authorities and they wondered what would become of her.
It was then, after gaining family agreement from her husband and four children, Lynne decided to take action. Having experienced a happy childhood herself, she wanted to give back. It took three years to complete the required training and pass the authority checks before she welcomed her first foster child into their home.
Many of the children she has fostered arrived on her doorstep with a range of problems - physical, intellectual and emotional. They have ranged in age from a week old baby she brought home from a hospital to teens struggling with life's complications.
Lynne lives near Cowra and, even though she has had up to six children at a time in her home (as well as her own youngest daughter Emma), she has given them a rounded, supportive and non-judgmental family environment, often their first such experience. Her warmth, humour and generosity have had an enormous impact on these children. Because of her, many are now leading fulfilled, happy lives and have adopted Lynne as their ‘second mother’.
Lynne has worked tirelessly without leave, or overtime or penalties for difficult working conditions, but she could not imagine living them in any other way. At the age of 68, she continues to travel hundreds of kilometres every week, prepares up to 15 meals a day, washes clothes, sews, bakes and raises funds to help children and currently has three teenagers living in her loving home.
Ian Narev, CEO of the Commonwealth Bank, which has been the major sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards for more than 30 years, congratulated this year's award recipients.
"The recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards for 2012 remind us of the great diversity of achievements, talents and contributions in Australia," said Mr Narev.
"They inspire us with their commitment, passion and hard work. We can all feel very proud to call them our fellow Australians.”
More than 5,000 nominations were received from the public for the 2012 Awards and nominations are already being accepted for the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards.
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