This Mother's Day, we ran a competition with a simple question: who is the extraordinary mum, nan, or carer in your life?
What you sent us stopped us in our tracks. Stories of grandmothers who stepped in when no one else would. Mothers raising children with complex needs, quietly and without complaint. Women who gave up everything - careers, health, their own dreams - so that the people they love could have a better life.
Every single nomination deserved to win. Choosing just one was genuinely one of the hardest things we have done. But we want every story to be seen, because every woman nominated here is remarkable.
These are their stories.
🏆 Winner - Susan Lapthorne
Nominated by her granddaughter, Leshae!
Where do I start - my light at the end of the tunnel, my brave Nan. She showed bravery, loyalty, and commitment to me and my siblings. She took us in and loved us like her own, giving everything she could.
Our life wasn't easy, and life wasn't easy on my Nan either - especially with the struggles of my mum. So my Nan stepped in and took permanent guardianship of me and my two siblings. From then on, we saw just how much she has a heart and soul of gold. I don't say that lightly. I say it with such depth in my heart.
I'm the oldest, with two younger siblings, and I've seen everything she's been through. My brother is non-verbal and lives with autism. Every day is different. Some days are harder than others. My Nan deals with it all on her own, over and over again - making sure he has a good education, clothes, support, communication help, behavioural support, and more. She shows up for everything, all for the sake of his development.
She put her life on the line to give children who weren't hers the best life and the most loving home, even when it came with stress, court cases, patience, and standing up for what's right. She did it without hesitation.
"She was our voice, our fighter, always by our side. We are who we are today because of her courage. I have the rest of my life to thank her - because she is my mum now, even if she didn't give birth to me. My Nan is my hero." - Leshae
Susan wins a $150 eftpos voucher, a $150 QV Skincare package, and a Night N Day incontinence products package. Susan - this one is for you. 🌸
⭐ Special Mention - Lisa Turvey
Lisa nominated herself - because no one else would. A mum of three kids aged 7, 9, and 11, including a 9-year-old who is blind and has Down syndrome, Lisa has been told she needs to slow down and pamper herself for once.
All Nominations
Every story below is real, raw, and full of love. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share.
Paragon Zuncheddu (nominated by Senna Zuncheddu)
She had to give up her own dreams and career to support and care for our family. Especially after being diagnosed with a disability, she never gave up hope on me.
Verma Sauls (nominated by Stephanie Dennis)
Verma is my hero. She saved me from my father, who wanted to kill me when I was 6 years old. She is also a carer in the community and is studying to become a psychologist to help people with mental health disorders. This is very admirable to me.
Jessie Emma Zillah Carroll (nominated by Sean Graham Carroll)
A mother who has totally devoted her love and support during both good and bad times. Her love never weakened, which has also made us good friends. She always supports and shows love and respect to everyone.
Tanya Goodwin (nominated by Ellie Goodwin)
My mother, Tanya, is a single mother who has lost her husband, my father. She has taken in foster children - two Aboriginal kids who are 11 and 12 - and she has raised them since they were babies. She is always striving and gets up day and night for the kids. She is a strong lady.
It takes a certain kind of courage to put your own hand up and say: I deserve this too. Lisa, you absolutely do. We see you. 💛
Amanda Newman (nominated by Vanessa Pieper)
She is a qualified midwife whose husband unexpectedly passed away last year. She has helped so many women bring their precious bundles into the world, and also helped me deliver my second daughter in 2019. She is amazing at her job, and I want her to have this pack to celebrate her day as a mum herself to two beautiful boys.
Paola Vega Vivanco (nominated by John Pirri)
She was brought to Australia in her 20s and had four beautiful boys. Their dad was a drunk who hit her every day and neglected the kids. When I met her, the youngest was 5 and the oldest was 17. The police had been to their house more than 20 times.
When I came into her life, she gave her all. When she was 8 months pregnant, she fell over a skateboard and broke her back in four places. She also has chronic airways disease - when I met her, they said she only had 10 to 20 years to live. We've been together 16 years now.
We even had a princess girl who has autism. She's 12 years old, non-verbal, and still wears nappies. My missus is 54 years old and still changing nappies and taking care of school for her. She has no family here.
She never stops - cleaning, cooking, washing, and looking after everyone. The boys never want to leave their mum, and neither do I. She is small but has been through so much hardship. She never, ever does anything for herself. We all love her so much. Without her, we would all be lost. She's a real angel.
"I've never seen someone so broken who still does so much."
Johann Berry (nominated by Sharri Anderson)
She raised my brother and me on her own. She sacrificed a lot of things for us.
Fay Russell (nominated by Ashleigh Llewellyn)
My grandmother was my mother. She sadly passed away on 28th April 2026, but she was the absolute love of my life. Every Mother's Day she would buy me roses and tell me how much she loved me.
My nana held my hand through life, brought me smiles when I had tears, and taught me everyday life skills with unconditional love and support. I can't thank her enough for the life and love she gave me.
Nana deserves to win because she was so wonderful to me and everyone around her. This Mother's Day without her will not be the same.
Shovin Weerawarnakula (nominated by Chamina Weerawarnakula)
She is the strongest and most selfless person I know. During one of the most difficult periods of our lives in Sri Lanka, she made the brave decision to leave her job so she could fully care for her two children. Those were extremely hard circumstances - financially, emotionally, and mentally - but she never let us feel the weight of those struggles.
She raised us with love, discipline, and strong values, always putting our needs before her own. She believed deeply in education and in our future. To make that possible, she sold her own valuables so she could send us to Australia to continue our studies and build a better life.
Today, now living in Australia, she still helps our family every day by caring for our children and being a constant source of love, guidance, and strength. She has dedicated her entire life to uplifting others - first her children, and now the next generation.
Melanie Miller (nominated by Mikayla Miller)
She is a single mum, and my little baby sister has Down syndrome, who she cares for. My brother has level three autism and is non-verbal, and she looks after all of us - some of us adults still living at home with our own struggles - and Mum never gives up on us.
My brother plays lots of sports, and she drives him everywhere he needs to go every day - over an hour just for training, and hours to Melbourne and back. She never complains and never makes an excuse.
She has even taken in babies, toddlers, and teenagers who couldn't live at home anymore. Mum always said they are family too. Even now, they all still call her Mum - because she was always there, never judged, just pure light and love for all of us kids.
Natalie Lester (nominated by Jo Latten)
Natalie is an incredibly devoted mother who gives so much of herself to her children every day. She is the mother of a son with significant disability and complex support needs, as well as a daughter who also has additional needs. Despite the daily challenges this brings, Natalie continues to show strength, patience, and deep love for her children.
One of the most incredible things about Natalie is that, no matter how much she has on her plate, she always has a smile and a laugh. Her warmth, humour, and positive attitude lift the people around her. She brings lightness into difficult situations and helps others feel at ease, even when things are challenging.
She advocates for her children, follows through with appointments and recommendations, works with support teams, and keeps trying to find the best way forward for her family. Her care is not just practical - it is constant, thoughtful, and full of heart.
"She is a mother who shows courage, compassion, resilience and joy every day." - Jo
Lisa Thompson (nominated by Emma Fisher)
She is a beautiful woman who is studying to improve the life of herself and her children. She lost her husband last year and has been struggling to adjust to being a single mum while supporting the emotional needs of her children. She has been a huge support in the community, including encouraging her girls to engage with Scouts, Cadets, the CFS, and as an active church member.
Charmaine Lord (nominated by Emma Fisher)
This mother is a mum of four, and despite struggling with various health issues, raising children, and being a supportive wife, she actively engages with life by providing church members with hot drinks and a comforting ear. She homeschools her children, raising them to be well-rounded, helpful, and responsible people. She carries a lot that is not spoken about. She is amazing.
Thank you to every person who took the time to nominate someone special. The love in these stories reminded us why we do what we do. Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Incontinence Products Australia. 💐