Parent Profile 01-Dec-2011
Some people manage to turn their pain and loss into other people’s gain. April Hulbert is one such inspiring woman. The agonising loss of her mum to ovarian cancer in 2004 spurred her on to organise fundraising events for the Queensland Institute for Medical Research. Her most recent venture was the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer. One-thousand, three-hundred cyclists spent two days riding two-hundred and forty-eight kilometres from Brisbane to Somerset Dam, and back. They raised $4.7 million dollars! April and her close friends together raised $22,000. April nominated to put her funds towards ovarian cancer research, in honour of her mum. She says, “I miss her every single day. Some days I still think to pick up the phone and call her because I think, ‘mum would have loved that’ or, ‘I must tell her that’. I love her dearly and miss her terribly.”
April’s next goal is to collect a thousand shoe boxes for the Operation Christmas Child appeal. “Boxes are filled with five things: something special, something to love, something to play with, something for hygiene and something to wear, then shipped to children in developing countries.” April says most of these children have never received a gift in their lives!
If you thought April’s charity efforts require a lot of energy, she is also a Les Mills Group Fitness Instructor, a Lorna Jane Ambassador and mum to Isaac (7), Noah (5) and Sonny (3)! She says of her boys, “they are always on the go and I love it. Staying healthy and active is a huge part of my life and my work. Not only do they support that, but they contribute to it each and every day.”
Can you give our readers a little snapshot of your family? I am blessed with a wonderful, very supportive family. Raising a family these days can be very challenging. Just this year my dad and step-mum and mother-in-law moved close by. They say it takes a village to raise a child. My husband, Daniel, and I finally have our village. It has made such a difference to our family, to have that extra support and the boys really love spending time with their grandparents.
Where do you live and why? We live at Kings Beach, Caloundra. I love it! After growing up in the Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne, I have made the switch from the snow to the beach. Caloundra is a beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast. I can hear the waves as I fall asleep at night; it’s awesome!
Is the journey of motherhood what you expected? No! It is so much more rewarding and far more challenging than I ever anticipated. It can be a real juggling act, at times; sharing yourself, giving yourself time, school drop-off, homework, cooking, cleaning, work... we really are all superstars!
What qualities do you most admire in each of your children? Isaac is thoughtful. He has such a soft and caring nature. His little brothers will come to realise when they are older, just how much he looks out for them. Noah – where to start? He is an old man trapped in a little body. He loves to get all dirty with his Dad and will be first to offer a hand when it comes to washing a car. Sonny is cute, but don’t let his smile fool you, he can throw a mean temper tantrum in the middle of the shopping centre with the best of them (three-year-olds!).
What delights you most about motherhood? Random moments, however small they may be: a smile, a thankyou, a kiss, playing at the park. It’s usually the priceless moments that I cherish the most.
Who do you find inspiring? There are so many! I think we too often look up to celebrities and miss the everyday men and women who surround us, the everyday people. Everyone has a story. I have come into contact with some extraordinary everyday Sunshine Coaster’s. Look around, the world is full of everyday heroes.
What advice has had the biggest impact on you? I can’t really pin it to one. I have some wonderful ladies in my life that I look up to and I take a bit from all of them; my nan, mum, sister, friends and family.
How do you balance family and work demands? I am so fortunate to have such wonderful jobs. They keep me fit and healthy! I never thought I would be so lucky. I love the people that I work with and being a spin class instructor and a Lorna Jane Ambassador helps support my healthy, active lifestyle.
What does a typical day look like at your place? 6.30am wake up: breakfast, clean-up, lunches packed, school drop-off, on to the gym to teach a class or onto work at Lorna Jane. School pick up, play at the park or the beach, homework, dinner... how do we fit it all in?
What would be an ideal day for you? A day of no fighting between the kids!
What’s the motto you live by? “I am only one, but I am one, I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do” –Edward Everett Hale
What would you consider your greatest achievement so far? Raising three boys: I never thought I would achieve something so big!
Where do you see yourself in five years – personally and professionally? That is a hard question. I hope, happy and healthy and always thankful.
April’s Favourites:
Book: Tuesdays with Morrie
Music: I love it all, my iPod is a mess!
Food: Thai
Holiday destination: Holiday... yes please! I will pick anywhere
Rainy Day activity: Movies and popcorn!
