Wesley Mission mourns passing of Barbara Holborow

Wesley Mission, Sydney, is mourning the passing of former children’s magistrate and advocate Barbara Holborow.

She was a long-standing Ambassador for Wesley Mission’s Aunties and Uncles program.

“With the passing of Barbara Holborow the children of Australia have lost a passionate and committed advocate for their right to a safe, secure and loving home. In pursuit of this goal, Barbara was absolutely fearless,” said the Rev. Dr Keith Garner, CEO of Wesley Mission.

Uncompromising in her advocacy for children, her wise counsel was highly valued by Wesley Mission’s Aunties and Uncles program.

“She wasn’t interested in playing politics or winning popularity contests,” Dr Garner said. “The welfare of children was her only concern: the nation’s greatest future resource.”

Manager of Wesley Mission’s Aunties and Uncles program, Michelle Parrish, said Barbara’s passion and enthusiasm was inspiring.

“Her wise counsel, forged at the coal face, was invaluable,” she said. “She was unique and irreplaceable. Our nation and Wesley Mission’s Aunties and Uncles are poorer for the loss of Barbara. We are deeply saddened by her passing.”

Aunties and Uncles has assisted thousands of children since it began 37 years ago.

Aunties and Uncles provides children with an extended family pairing them with a volunteer ‘aunt’ or ‘uncle’, who provide stability as well as ongoing support and mentoring.