Newport’s Katrina Gliddon has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the international community of Cambodia.
In 2010, she founded Mother’s Heart Cambodia, a non-government organisation (NGO) supporting women during a crisis pregnancy.
“When girls and women face a crisis pregnancy in Cambodia, the blame and responsibility is solely placed on them,” Ms Gliddon said.
“Women are often rejected by their families and the wider social networks, leaving them isolated, unable to return home and without financial and emotional support.
“Mother’s Heart empowers women with choices, coming alongside them and offering practical as well as emotional support.
“With little or no social system in Cambodia, we are able to fill the gap for these vulnerable girls and women.
“Now we have a team of 32 local staff that run the organisation and I’m their fundraiser, donor relations person, advisor, coach and co-chair of the board of directors from here in Melbourne.”
Ms Gliddon said she had immediately felt an affinity with the Cambodian culture.
“I just really fell in love with the country and the people and its history,” she said.
Ms Gliddon said she accepted her Queen’s Birthday honour on behalf of the Mother’s Heart team and the girls and women in Cambodia.
“I’ve just had so many wonderful people that have believed in our vision,” she said.
“I’m going to accept this award for them and I’m going to accept it on behalf of the vulnerable girls and women in our program who find themselves with a crisis pregnancy through rape or trafficking or being exploited or homeless or the most horrible stories.
“I thought, they’re the ones that have to make the tough decisions and they’re the ones that I want to hero.
“And if I can also progress Mother’s Heart in some way in Australia, it’s really worth it.”
