Barnardos Mum of the Year & all the finalists

Selfless mother-of-five Noelene Lever has welcomed more than 50 foster children into her home

When Noelene Lever speaks of her family, her face lights up with pride. Not only has the widowed mum raised five children of her own, she’s been an unofficial foster mum to 50 others.

The 78-year-old, who was recently named Barnardos Mother of the Year, tells Woman’s Day how her home in Redfern became a safe haven for children in need.

“The kids started bringing their friends home to stay. Some of them didn’t have safe homes to go to, so I told them our door was always open. I’d have eight staying at a time and I’d sleep on the couch if the kids needed a big bed. It didn’t worry me – so long as they all had a place to lay their head.”

Life hasn’t been easy for Noelene, after she lost her husband in a horrific car accident when she was 37. She says she had to put her heartbreak aside and take control.

“I couldn’t sit back and let the horrible situation take control of me,” she says. “I had to focus on my children’s wellbeing and ensure they were safe, happy and protected.”

As well as taking on two jobs, Aboriginal woman Noelene soon became an unofficial foster parent to children – both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal – in need of care, support, and most importantly love.

One of those precious children was Sarina Kapeli, 39, who she took in when she was only two weeks old. “My friend from work said, ‘Can you look after her for a couple of weeks?’” Noelene, who now lives in Forster, NSW, recalls. “Of course I agreed.”

Not only has Sarina, now 39, been by her side ever since, Noelene welcomed Sarina’s birth mother Jean into their home. “She always made sure I knew where I came from,” mother-of-three Sarina says. “She didn’t want me to lose my connection with my family.”

Having recently retired from her role as an unofficial foster mum, Noelene’s focus is still her family, including 30 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandsons!

Now, the invincible mum has an important message to share. “Love doesn’t cost and the door never closes. Even after they leave, it’s still open.”