Collie local and mother of four Nicole Ambrose has been recognised as the ALDI and Barnardos ‘Mother of the Week’ for her work to better the lives of children in the community.
Nicole said she was embarrassed when her husband Tony nominated her for the 2018 Barnardos Mother of the Year.
“It’s embarrassing to be recognised because I don’t do what I do for recognition,” she said. “I do what I do because there is a need for it here in town.”
Nicole first came to Collie in 2006 along with her three oldest children after completing her university degree in teaching. Her first placement was as an Italian teacher at two schools in town, where she was responsible for 600 students.
She said that as she developed as a teacher, she moved more into the field of technology, which led her to starting the CoderDojo program in Collie.
Nicole said it was a passion for her to make sure that country kids received the same opportunities as those living in Perth.
“If you don’t give [the children] opportunities to shine and do things, they’re not going to have those similar experiences as kids in Perth,” she said. “Then country kids are always behind the eight ball.”
Nicole said that getting involved in the community along with her four children, 21-year-old Emery, 18-year-old twins Alyssia and Monique and seven-year-old Keith, helped her settle into the town.
“We live in a small town, in order for there to be a community, you have to be a part of the community,” she said.
Nicole said that her youngest son Keith is always involved with her work at the CoderDojo program, while her twin daughters were involved in her work to grow the Carols by Candlelight event in town.
When Nicole started helping with Carols by Candlelight, only 100 people were attending and it was all run by the churches. Now, the churches have combined with the primary schools for the event to provide an ‘outlet for children in town’.
Although she was nominated, Nicole said that there were a wide range of other mothers in Collie who deserve recognition for their work just as much as she does.
“Our community doesn’t exist without all of the other mums that volunteer,” she said.
“There are phenomenal ladies here in town that do phenomenal work and I don’t think I’m exceptional in any way, shape or form.”
If you know an incredible mum like Nicole who deserves recognition, nominate her for Mother of the Year before nominations close on February 11 at www.motheroftheyear.com.au.
