Jill Selby

Awarded for service to childcare; community advocacy and inclusion; education and training; volunteering

Born: 30 January 1957

Entered on roll: 2023

"Supporting generations of families"

Jill Selby is connected to her community as a childcare provider and volunteer.

Jill has won a range of awards for her outstanding Family Day Care services, including National Family Day Carer of the Year in 1998, Victorian/Tasmanian Early Childhood Educator of the Year 2011 and North-West winner of Excellence in Family Day Care in 2015.

Jill has worked in the childcare sector for 37 years as a Family Day Care Educator. She builds ongoing relationships with the families for whom she provides care, developing informal support networks for families and their children. Jill has supported future generations of childcare educators by encouraging students from Don College and Devonport High School to undertake work experience within her Family Day Care.

Jill has volunteered for a range of North-West Tasmanian community groups, including Scouts, Guides, the Lions Club and Dragons Abreast, and has volunteered for Gran’s Van for 12 years, providing help for the homeless and disadvantaged of Devonport. While undertaking work to support the community, Jill saw the need for greater acceptance and understanding of mental health and suicide prevention, and undertook training in these areas, including Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) training. Jill has also made over 300 donations for blood and plasma.

Jill and her two dogs Leroy and Sadie work together to provide voluntary Dog Therapy at a local high school. These sessions help selected students to extend their socialisation, connection, life and living skills; with the dogs offering support in a non- judgemental, encouraging and diversional learning environment.

Jill also participates in Story Dogs at a local primary school, which allows students to read to accredited dogs to stimulate their reading skills. The aim of these programs is to encourage children and young people to stay engaged with school.

A 2015 Diamonds of Devonport International Women’s Day Award was presented to Jill to acknowledge her as a woman who inspires others in the community.