AT 84, Burnie's Joan Bellinger by all rights should be enjoying her retirement years.
A grandmother of 10, Joan has spent six decades raising her four children to adulthood, supporting her husband during his career as a police officer and building her own career as a school teacher.
Yet when her 48-year-old son-in-law was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia three years ago, Joan shelved her own needs to step in to support her daughter's devastated family.
It was this dedication that saw Joan named as Tasmania's Barnardos Mother of the Year.
"Both my parents are in their eighties, but they have been with us every step of the way and given immense financial and emotional support, even caring for my husband and children so I can continue to work full-time," said Joan's daughter Lynne Butler, 50.
"My mother in particular has stepped into the role of my best friend, supporter, advocate, sounding-board and the person who is available for me and my family 24/7.
"I am continually left speechless and amazed by the number of ways my mother is able to provide me with support, love and care. I could not continue to function and provide my husband and children with the support they need, without my mother."
Joan says the nomination came as a shock. "I didn't expect anything like this would ever happen to me - especially at the age of 84. All I can hope for is that my children, my grandchildren and some day their children will see that life is a gift, and we need to enjoy every moment of it."
Barnardos Australia's David Levy said he had been "blown away" by the nominees' inspiring stories.
"For us, it is incredibly moving to see how Joan shares the same philosophy as we do, her soul focus being on the safety and wellbeing of her children," he said.
Joan was one of eight state finalists in the running for Barnados Mother of the Year 2018, which was announced on May 10. NSW finalist 78-year-old Noelene Lever won the national title.
