But it is the way the 72-year-old's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren see her and the reason her daughter Leanne nominated her in a national search for Australia's own supermum.

State and Australian winners will be announced today but Pat, who said she was "shocked" to even be nominated, doesn't have any expectations.

"I won't win anyway so many others do so much."

Nominators were required to explain in 50 words or less why their mum or friend deserved to win the inaugural Supermum title.

Her daughter had described her as a mum to eight, foster mum to two, a grandmother to 28 and a great grandmother to 24. She is currently raising her 16-year-old grandson, is a double breast cancer survivor and always puts her family before herself.

Pat, who has lived in Mount George for 11 years, enjoys being around her family and said having a routine was key to raising her eight children.

"I managed better than friends with two or three kids. You had to have a routine.

"They were all in sports and it kept them busy.

"We would spend weekends going to soccer, netball, basketball, swimming, tennis - if you keep your kids busy you'll never have any trouble - but they were good kids anyway."

Pat was one of seven children, and her husband Tony was one of nine, so big families were the norm.

At one stage she took in two young boys through the Salvation Army.

"Their mum had left and their dad was trying to work and look after them and was struggling," explained Pat.

Child welfare became involved and Pat looked after the boys for a few months until the father was able to gain custody through the court system.

She said their father had kept in contact but had to wait for the courts to grant him custody.

Pat said her family enjoyed having the boys stay with them and it was sad to see them go.

"Our family adored them."

Pat and Tony raised their children on the Central Coast.

He sadly died 14 years ago and Pat decided to moved north.

"We had intended to sell up and come Forster way."

Instead she found a 90-year-old home at Mount George, which needed a lot of work, but which she was drawn to.

She tries to see her family members as much as possible and travels to the Central Coast (where the majority are based) on a regular basis.

"I try and get to birthday parties as much as possible."

She has recently attended the 18th birthday of three of her granddaughters.

"They're all growing up. The girls are already doing their university placements."

She also offers a place to stay when anyone needs it.

"A lot of my grandchildren have come to live here when they needed a home.

"I like to be able to be there for them and help them as much as I can.

"I love being with them and doing things with them."

Life hasn't been without its challenges.

Pat has fought breast cancer twice, her first diagnosis coming in 1990 at the age of about 49.

She had a partial mastectomy and underwent radiotherapy.

Pat recovered but unfortunately in 2009 she developed cancer in the same breast, and this time it has spread further.

Pat is still undergoing a new treatment because she couldn't have radiotherapy on the same spot again and chemotherapy would have made her type of cancer worse, which gives a number of side effects.

But she said she just gets on with things.

"You've just got to get on with life. That's all you can do."

Pat explained that around 50-years is the danger period for women when it comes to breast cancer.

The Supermum competition is being run by mattress company Protect-a-Bed and there are $15,000 worth of prizes to be won including a $5000 family holiday for Australia's Supermum and a $5000 holiday for the nominee.

State winners also receive great prizes.