NORTHERN Tasmania should be proud that Launceston's Lisa King was named Tasmanian Mother of the Year on Wednesday.
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She was a thoroughly deserving winner of the award handed out by children's charity group Barnardos - no one could argue with that.
In 2011, Mrs King endured the double tragedy of losing her 10-year-old son Noah and her husband, Aaron, within a short period.
Noah died after a long and brave battle with a severe mental disability and Mr King died three months later from a heart attack, aged just 39.
Many people would have justifiably fallen to pieces, but Mrs King picked herself up for the sake of her three other boys and kept going.
"I guess I just try to live my life to make them proud and try to think that they'd want me to keep going," Mrs King said. "They wouldn't want us to give up."
Mrs King has been an inspiration to her friends and family but also the wider community who might not know her personally.
She reached out to others experiencing heartache or hardship through her blog The Kings.
But perhaps the most meaningful praise came from her eldest son Jalen, 15.
"We all went through some very hard times and she was there being really strong for all of us," he said.
The other Tasmanian finalists were also deserving of recognition.
Margaret Saunders beat poverty and homelessness to encourage her eight children and three grandchildren to be caring and kind and to give back to the community.
Jody-Lee Rosevear took in her young cousin after the death of her father and raised her as her own.
It is worth reflecting on the amazing role all mothers play in the development and nurturing of their children and children in the community.
In the lead-up to Mother's Day next month, we should all contemplate that massive influence mothers have.
It is often unpaid but it should never be undervalued.