Christian advocacy group FamilyVoice Australia (FVA) has named Western Australian Kerrie Hogg and South Australian GP Dr. Padma Solomon as its fifth Mother and Grandmother of the Year.
“Kerrie Hogg is a most worthy recipient of our Mother of the Year award,” said FVA spokesman Andrew McColl.
“She and her husband not only raise their own four sons, but on-boarded another four children from Kerrie’s extended family in their hour of need,” he explained.
Kerrie’s a Christian from Wangara in northern Perth who has four boys of her own aged 11 to 17, and two years ago, took on raising four nephews and nieces aged four to nine.
KERRIE HOGG PROVIDED A LOVING HOME FOR TRAUMATISED NEPHEWS AND NIECES
FVA National Director Peter Downie who announced the winners on Vision Radio’s 20Twenty program told host Neil Johnson that Kerrie and her husband had provided a loving home for their nephews and nieces.
“They were fairly traumatised before they came to Kerrie, but Kerrie’s got them happy and enjoying life and school and it’s all such a joy to see.” he said.
“Kerrie and her husband did not hesitate to extend their family when four close relatives of minor age experienced mental trauma,” Andrew McColl added.
“In response to Kerrie’s motherly encouragement, the kids have become incredibly happy and thoroughly enjoy their studies at their local school.”
Kerrie told Vision Radio “I think anyone in my position would have done the same thing.”
“MOTHERHOOD IS 100% A GIFT”
“These kids needed the extra help so me and my husband discussed it and we put our hand up and we took them all on so they were together because at the time of taking them on, they were all separate and no siblings should grow up apart. So that’s what we did.”
When asked how she saw motherhood, Kerrie replied: “As 100% a gift.”
“I know a few people that obviously really want babies and are struggling to have babies or can’t have babies, so for me to have four and then take on another four, I’m very privileged. Very, very privileged.”
KERRIE WAS INSPIRED TO DOUBLE HER FAMILY BY HER OWN MOTHER
Kerrie said she was inspired to care for the extra children by her own mother.
“She passed away in 2023 and then two months later I took on the kids.”
“My mum raised me, my brother and my sister and she was very loving and caring and cuddles and kisses and you know at the end of the day you’ve only got family.”
“Family has got your back. Family you can rely on. So that’s what you make your world around.”
Kerrie has just started a a new job doing education support at South Ballajura Primary School.
CHALLENGING JOURNEY OF GRANDMOTHER OF THE YEAR
FVA’s grandmother of the year is another devout Christian: Dr Padma Solomon from Adelaide.
“She had four children of her own and now has three grandchildren,” explained Peter Downie.
“She was a doctor in Sri Lanka, but there were some riots and they lost everything and they’ve come to Australia in 1984 and had to start again.”
Dr Solomon completed extra studies and then worked as a GP for 26 years, receiving an Australia Day honour in 1994.”
Mr Downie revealed “she was a prayer warrior who lived a wonderful life.”
Her son Daniel who is also a doctor said: “She’s very happy and honoured to receive this award and she’s been an incredible mother.”
“As one of her four sons I can’t believe anyone could be better than my mum.”
“CHRIST IS THE CENTRE OF DR SOLOMON’S LIFE”
“She’s worked until she was 84 years old to support us and help us go through high school and university, and also she’s had an incredible influence on her three grandchildren as well.”
“Christ has been the centre of her life and I think without God, I don’t think she could have achieved all these things and I guess the Bible says: With Christ we can do all things and that’s probably been a key motto.”
“Despite her challenges and difficulties, she’s really felt that God’s been with her and helped her.”
“Her grandchildren have observed that and we’ve tried to take on those characteristics and tried to emulate her in many ways.”
