But ask her why most people think she is fabulous and she will laugh it off, crediting much of what she has achieved as a single mother of four children to unwavering community support and the love of her friends and family.

The nominations Shellie received in this year’s 2014 Barnados Mother of the Year competition tell the story. She received an amazing 33 individual nominations from members of her community in this year’s competition which searches for the state’s best mum.

Visibly moved and overwhelmed after reading dozens of letters of support, Shellie says she is no more special than any other mum who has been gifted with the best job in the world – raising children.

But her story is not like most. Three years ago, the family’s world was rocked by the news that her then 12-year-old daughter Tarryn, who also has several developmental challenges, had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

“It was a big shock. Tarryn was unwell for about six weeks and we had been back and forth to the doctors.

“You know as a mum when something is not right, you just have that gut instinct.”

Within 24 hours of her diagnosis, Tarryn with Shellie by her side, was flown to Sydney. For eight long months, the family battled the illness together.

“She was so ill. But she is also tough and I knew she would pull through,” Shellie said.

“We have had wonderful support from the local community and my parents – I don’t where I would have been without them.

“Sometimes in life you get dealt these things and you’ve just got to suck it up. My kids are my world. Tarryn and I have this bond and together I knew we’d be able to get through this.”

It is that attitude and approach to life, even when dealt the toughest of cards, that has inspired so many. She was named the Mother of the Week as a part of the Barnados Mother of the Year campaign and while she missed out on a place in the final round, everyone who has crossed paths with this amazing woman knows she has already won.

“Tarryn is now in remission after two years of intensive chemotherapy. She finished that in July last year,” Shellie said.

“We still have two years of waiting until we are clear.”

The family’s experience with cancer is far from over and Shellie, staying true to her spirit, is not content to sit by and allow other families impacted by the disease to experience the journey alone.

Last month, with her son Levi, Shellie joined a Kendall troupe to walk in the Relay for Life event to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

“Levi walked for five hours straight. We plan to do it every year now,” Shellie said.

“You just don’t expect that cancer will happen to you. We were totally blown away by it. The Relay for Life is a great thing for a great cause.”

Shellie also commits much of her spare time to her community and the groups her children are actively involved in including the Camden Haven Touch Football Association, Camden Haven Rugby League and the local tennis club.

“I was in tears when I read all of the letters people wrote – they were all awesome and amazing,” Shellie said.

“It is a hard job being a mum but if I can inspire someone by what we have been through then that’s a good thing. We are just being us.”