October was a significant month for Mums of the Hills (MotHs), capping off a year dedicated to community support in the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges.

The Check Me Out project, brought to life by Mums of the Hills, Women’s Health East, and Phoenix Australia, was a compassionate, community-driven initiative aimed at nurturing the well-being of women, AFAB, and non-binary individuals. Through local roadshow events, this project created a welcoming space where people could connect with healthcare professionals, ask questions, and learn about their health. This initiative sought not only to empower individuals with knowledge but also to make mental and physical health support more accessible for those living with the unique challenges of life in the hills. Here’s a look at the outcomes, capturing both the strengths and needs within the community.

We have seen in increase in the number of members talking about the financial pressures of Christmas this year. In response to this outcry, I was approached by a mum, She had been through a tough time and regrets not asking for help sooner. This is her story.

When it comes to the impacts of climate change, we see our community as Australia’s metaphorical canary in the coalmine. Our community is experiencing the early impacts of a climate change and serves as an early indicator of what other communities are likely to experience in the future.  

In this blog we call on our Yarra Ranges councilor candidates to consider the concerns of our community on key issues exacerbated by climate change.

The housing situation in the Yarra Ranges, particularly in the Dandenong Ranges, has become increasingly dire, exacerbated by a confluence of factors including rising homeownership rates, a booming short-term rental market, climate-related disasters, and family separations following the COVID-19 pandemic.

MotHs will continue advocating for solutions that keep families close, strengthen community ties, and ensure that the Yarra Ranges remains not just a tourist destination, but a home for its long-term residents.

September was an active month of events, workshops and advocacy.

MotHs has applied for grant funding through the Xero Beautiful Business Fund to help develop programs and awareness in our community to stop family violence from being the shameful crisis it is. Even if we are not successful with this grant round, we hope that this video will spark conversations and opportunities. To our wonderful network of friends, researchers, and orgnanisations, please hear our call to action and join us in making a difference in our community.

Every year, Mums of the Hills, Inc (MotHs) conducts a survey to ensure we are advocating on the issues that matter most to our community and to deepen our understanding of the people we support.

These insights have highlighted the need for ongoing targeted support and resources to address these pressing community issues.

Cold wet July created a few challenges here in the hills. That didn’t stop us from getting out and having fun.

June was a bustling month for MotHs. Here's a quick look at all the exciting activities and achievements.

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

April has been a month filled with meaningful events and initiatives that have brought us closer together as a community. Here's a roundup of what we've been up to..

What a month March was!

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

February was jam-packed with social engagements and advocacy at the forefront of our agenda. However, we were also starkly reminded of the inherent risks of our beautiful life nestled among the trees as extreme bushfire warnings, storms, and subsequent power and telecommunication outages swept through our community.

Most people know MotHs has a large online group at its heart, with many smaller branch groups. But MotHs is much more than this. More than simply supporting each other through these challenges, we’re working towards preventing them.

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

From attending the flag-raising ceremony at Victoria's Government House to rubbing shoulders with inspiring individuals like Darcy McGauley-Bartlett, Dr. Raj Khillan, Dr Janine Mohammed and Ro Allen, it was a month filled with meaningful encounters and impactful discussions.

While storms, flash flooding, and bushfires have long been familiar to the hills, their intensity and frequency are on the rise. Our families now face heightened vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, evident in events like the devastating 2021 storms that led to a monumental loss of trees (approximately 25,000). This loss may have contributed to the increased number and severity of landslides on our roads this week, as the weakened soil, no longer supported by tree roots, inevitably succumbed to the immense volume of rainwater that fell on Sunday and Monday.

That’s a wrap for 2023, we're immensely proud of the challenges we've conquered. Looking forward, we're excited to steer MotHs towards a sustainable future in 2024. Read the President’s report. Here's to more growth, connection, and success!

Check out the new businesses featured in the MotHs Business Directory.

Check out what’s been happening and who was seen out and about this month.