by Marcus Priaulx
Aggie Dynevor has been able to provide a happy family life since she began mentoring at her children’s schools.
The mother of eight was struggling to cope when school became an unhappy place for her children. But Aggie kept making them go and sat in their classes as part of a Barambah PaCE mentoring program.
She then won the PaCE-Cherbourg State School Parent of the Month Award in April 2012 and felt incredibly happy.
“I knew I could accomplish things if I put in the effort,” she said.
Her partner Shawn Fisher was proud of Aggie, too.
He congratulated her and said ‘keep up the good work’ as he realised the added interest she took in their children’s schooling made a massive difference in all aspects of their life.
Aggie also improved her reading and writing skills through a Nurunderi TAFE course and did a Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) with Shawn. These were funded by Barambah PaCE and Aggie’s efforts improved the relationship she had with her spouse of 13 years.
They decided as a couple to move to Kingaroy and her children love it.
“They’ve made a lot of friends,” their proud mother said.
Aggie also continued to mentor at Taabinga State School and on May 27 she and Shawn reached another great milestone.
Shawn was offered work to build an indigenous garden as a Taabinga State School groundsman and Aggie became a full-time teacher aide.
“It’s good,” Aggie said.
“If it wasn’t for the PaCE’s mentoring, Triple P and TAFE courses I’d be just sitting, doing nothing.
“Our family would be falling apart. We’re strong now.
“We’re a loving unit getting on with life. It’s made a big difference in our lives.
“I’ve got a better way of understanding life now and when I won that Parent of the Month Award it just made me feel so happy. I knew I could do it.”
- Related article: Agnes Is Mentoring Success
