Mick Fanning’s mother Elizabeth Osbourne wins Tweed Woman of the Year

ELIZABETH Osbourne hasn’t had the best 12 months of her life, but the mother of three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has vowed that better times are ahead.

ELIZABETH Osbourne hasn’t had the best 12 months of her life, but the mother of three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has vowed that better times are ahead.

Ms Osbourne stole the spotlight from her famous son when she was named inaugural Tweed Woman of the Year in Kingscliff yesterday.

On receiving the award, Ms Osbourne welled up with emotion as she spoke about an emotionally painful year during which she tragically lost one son and watched another attacked by a shark on live television.

Liz Osbourne, mother of champion surfer Mick Fanning, reacts to winning the Woman of the Year award Picture: David Clark.

She said courage, kindness and the support of loved ones had helped her through the last year.

“It is an absolute honour, I feel so humbled,” she said.

“It hasn’t been the best 12 months we’ve ever had but we’ll get better and we stick together.”

Fanning took time out of his preparation for the Quiksilver Pro which kicks off tomorrow to have lunch with his mum on International Women’s Day.

Liz Osbourne. Picture: Regi Varghese

“It’s amazing — she’s done so much for me, my family and all of our friends,” he said.

“She is a special person.”

Mick Fanning carving it up at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Cabarita local Nikki Auton organised the inaugural award lunch and said Ms Osbourne was an obvious choice for judges.

“She is such an inspiring person after all she has been through — she was an obvious standout” Ms Auton said.

Tweed Coast Woman's Awards was held at the Salt Bar, Kingscliff where Liz Osbourne, mother of champion surfer Mick Fanning, took out the Woman of the Year award. Picture: David Clark