We’re dragging this place out of the 90’s! The old creamy yellow walls screamed paint me from the moment we got the keys. They sucked the light and soul out of the place. Now thanks to an amazing collaboration we’ve got a bright and fresh space!

As a Queenslander I am supposed to naturally accept the colour maroon, after all it’s the colour of the state’s rugby league and rugby union (although known as the Reds) teams. While they are truly the best teams in their respective sports (😉) and the colour symbolises this, as a carpet choice it was a light-sucking crime scene. Combined with the smell from many years as a maternal child health centre meant it really had to go and the faster the better. Enter Karma Flooring.

I can’t tell you how happy we were to get permission from the council to cover these brown bricks. A brick feature wall can be great but honestly there was no way to make these look good. We needed a great local carpenter to banish the brown.

I know what you’re thinking. Why didn’t we keep these classic blinds? Yes they were truly retro-tastic but we didn’t really vibe with the beachie theme. If you stare at them long enough you also start panicking, “OMG where are the kids… that shark looks too content”. I’ve been informed by a real babe of the 90’s that these were the design choice to have. Thank heavens taste changes hey!

It’s always a concern when you have to hunt for power points. That was the situation at the new space. Thankfully we knew just who to call for such a job. Richard from Go Safe Electrical Contractors.

How would I describe progress at the hub. Hmmm… I’d say we’re at the pregnancy equivalent 43 weeks. We’re trying everything we can to get this baby out! Delays with products, raising funds and trades may have slowed us a little, but we’ve still achieved a whole lot!

Mums of the Hills is excited to announce our grant successes with you.

Mums of the Hills members have been showing their strength at recent local events. First the Hills Small Business Expo organised with thanks by the Yarra Ranges Council, then the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association Business Networking Breakfast.

We need to get women’s health in Australia back on track. In the wake of disruptions from multiple natural disasters and lockdowns, the health service system is overburdened, basic health checks have lapsed, and mothers in particular are struggling to find the time and funds to manage their basic care.

On March 8th I was honoured to give the keynote speech at the International Womens Day celebration at Parliament House. I highlighted the extraordinary women in our community and the importance of ‘cracking the code’ by making telecommunications legislated as an essential service. This is why.

The Main Corner in Upwey have created this beautiful ‘breakfast in bed’ just for us Mums of the Hills! This hamper is to be served as is , so the little ones can just pop it on a tray and serve us like the Queens we are!

Koru Tea have become yet another awesome local business supporting our hub.

Here’s another local business owner helping us spruce up the MotHs Hub. A big shout out to Gareth the Window Cleaner!

MotHs is doing what we can to support this local Mums of the Hills member. This year Rebecca Mitchell at Little Footprint Studios challenged herself to enter into Melbourne’s International Flower and Garden Show. With “nothing to lose” she put all her passion into this project and to her credit has been accepted for not one but TWO gardens (1 balcony and 1 border garden).

Mums of the Hills is getting its very own permanent hub! Finally after years of hiring spaces, using my kids cubby as the MotHs HQ and storing all the MotHs borrowing gear, MotHs will have busy buzzing new home.

MotHs advocates on telecommunications, particularly the nbn and the need for them to be legislated as an essential service. Read more about our efforts on this topic, along with other issues including domestic violence, mental health and siloed information.

Our annual report is now available. We may be a fledgling not-for-profit group, but with 5.4k online members residing in our local community, we are strong and very determined to make a difference.

We’re getting everything ready to celebrate Christmas and no matter of what the weather has installed, we are determined for it not to dampen our spirit.

Stress, a feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressures, is the top mental health issue facing women today, with almost 70% of women in Australia experiencing stress. Unsurprising given research showing that women often perform far more cognitive and emotional labour than men.

We’ve learned a lot in the process of getting my daughter onto the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I share a few brief points to highlight inherent challenges, recognising everyone’s experience is different.