She raised three kids who all had their own difficult journeys, started her teaching degree at 35 and had her first school placement, at Kaleen Primary, at 40. Now, at 54, Lynne Sheville is working to keep kids safe online, recently seconded to the office of the eSafety Commissioner. And, to top it all off, she's just been named the Barnardos ACT Mother of the Year.
"I was a little bit shocked. A lot shocked. And a bit overwhelmed," Lynne said. "I think [all the national finalists] thought, 'Why me? There are so many parents doing an amazing job'. To be singled out is quite an honour."
Lynne was nominated by her daughter Nicola, 27, who said her mother always stood by her and siblings Will, 25; and Steve, 24; no matter what, as they faced struggles growing up.
"I experienced serious bouts of depression and anxiety before being diagnosed with ADHD that contributed to not only these psychosocial conditions, but abysmal behaviour as a teenager, emotional dysregulation and impulsive choices," Nicola said.
"My sibling, Will, who also has ADHD, has experienced a number of mental health challenges and came out as transgender, identifying as non-binary.
"My brother Steve, we like to joke is the easiest child, but he has faced challenges of his own and Mum has been there every step of the way."
Nicola said she was thrilled her mum had been honoured.
"I think she was more shocked than I was. I already thought she was pretty great," she said.
Nicola said her mother never gave up on her or her brothers, always taking an interest and never judging.
"She's been there the whole way through, even when I've been completely ungrateful," she said.
A former accountant who took up teaching later in life, Lynne was supposed to be feted in Sydney for a week with the other state and territory Mother of the Year finalists, but the coronavirus pandemic put an end to that. NSW foster mum Margie Bailey was named the national winner on Mother's Day, without the usual ceremony.
Lynne said she felt humbled to be in the company of the other mums, even virtually, via Skype leading to the announcement. She has a clear philosophy on parenting.
"People have said I need to give tips now I've got this award. But my only tip is just be there for your children and love them no matter what. Whatever they're going through, just let them know that you love them unconditionally," she said.
She said Will, in particular, had never felt happier in himself since coming out as transgender and that's all she wanted as a mother: that her children were "happy and content".
Lynne gave special thanks to her parents, Frank and Marilyn Williams who had been "an absolute godsend", helping her to raise her children.
"When I started at Kaleen, when I was 40, it was my D Year. So I got my divorce, got my degree and took the kids to Disneyland and went into debt," she said, with a laugh.
"I wouldn't say I'm on my own though. I've got an amazing group of friends and my family are just fantastic. And the kids are pretty good. Now they're in their 20s, they're likeable humans."
She loved being a teacher, working her way to a leadership role at Kaleen Primary.
"Kaleen Primary has been my family for the last 10 years and I've met some so many amazing people through that," she said.
She "fell into" being the STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - expert at Kaleen Primary. Through that, came a job with the Education Directorate, at the Academy of Future Skills, a team of specialist executive teachers supporting teachers and schools in STEM education.
Lynne was then seconded to the federal eSafety office nearly a year ago, developing resources for parents and teachers to help keep kids safe online. She says it has been a fantastic opportunity.
"It combines all my loves of professional learning and supporting teachers and making sure kids are safe," she said.
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Lynne said there had been an increase in reports of things such as cyber-bullying since children had to do their learning online during the pandemic. But also recognition that technology and social media could connect.
"We're teaching people it's really good to have technology, but that we have to use it safely," she said.
