The Victorian Mother of the Year Award celebrates extraordinary mother figures and community caregivers who help create a just world – where everyone belongs!
The award highlights the importance of role-models who inspire and empower those around them. Mums and mother figures are all around us, not only in our families but in our local community groups, schools and workplaces.
The winner will be honoured by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne at a special ceremony and receive $10,000 in funding from the Y's charitable fund to support initiatives that uplift young people and families in need.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Victorian Mother of the Year award
Do you know a mum or mother figure making a positive impact on young people and their community? Nominate them now for the Y Victoria Mother of the Year Award!
The winner of this year's award will be announced on Thursday 7 May 2026, just in time for Mother’s Day!
Carla Raynes
Winner of the Y Victorian Mother of the Year Award 2025
Named this year's YMCA Victorian Mother of the Year, Carla is the founder of Bridge It, which runs an innovative supportive housing program called the Cocoon, that reshapes the lives of young women and gender diverse people exiting the out-of-home care system and homelessness.
She’s reimagining the youth homelessness system and at its heart, what it means to feel safe, seen and genuinely cared for.
It’s a place where they can feel supported and begin to rebuild with dignity.
