At Council’s 2022 Australia Day Awards, Amanda Meehan was named Greater Dandenong City Council’s Citizen of the Year.
Since then she says life hasn’t changed greatly, but the accolade has given her a chance to reflect on how her passion and drive is making a difference for others.
“My kids like to say “My mum’s the best person in Dandenong”, but it’s nice to think people are watching and I’m making a difference in this community,” Amanda said.
A busy mum of five, the Keysborough woman is heavily involved in community life. She recently completed her studies to become an enrolled nurse and is now studying to become a registered nurse.
Following her role as a surrogate for a good friend in 2017/18, Amanda is now embarking on a surrogacy journey with another family.
She is involved with the Silverton Cricket Club, Wallarano Primary School and Darren Reserve Kindergarten, working to make life better for children across our city.
“I describe myself as altruistic, so when you are in that realm you just keep doing things for others, but to see other people recognise it makes you sit down and look at what you actually do.
“The nomination was shocking, but very nice. It’s nice to hear what other people think about me. It is really humbling.”
Amanda became involved in surrogacy in Victoria when she offered to have a baby for her best friend who is in a same sex relationship. In March 2018 she gave birth to a baby girl, who now knows the role Amanda played in her creation and even facetimes her every day.
“They are our family, and we are all so close. I didn’t just get this girl and her dads I got a whole community,” Amanda said.
This year Amanda is preparing to act as a surrogate again, and she continues to work with surrogates and intended parents helping to support social connections for men and women considering surrogacy.
Amanda moved to Keysborough 11 years ago and has certainly made her presence felt in her local community.
She admits that her calendar is very crowded, but says she works to make life better for her own children and other families in Greater Dandenong.
When Amanda completes her studies she wants to work with local mothers and babies through a community-based organisation like the Queen Elizabeth Centre in Noble Park.
“Everything I do I try to do it with purpose. My time belongs to my kids, so I want the time I spend away from them to count.”
