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By CAITLIN CROWLEY
A NATIONAL charity established to support rural mothers by combatting isolation through connection has chosen Goondiwindi as the location for its first ever physical event, celebrating Mother’s Day later this month.
Motherland was founded by journalist and cattle farmer Stephanie Trethewey, whose own struggles with motherhood in rural Tasmania inspired her to build an online community which has grown to include virtual mothers groups and a hugely popular podcast.
Trethewey will be the guest speaker at the Goondiwindi Motherland afternoon tea on May 21 and said the event was a big milestone for Motherland.
“It’s the first physical event we’ve ever held and it comes off the back of a growing appetite from our Motherland community to solidify some of the virtual connections in a physical space,” Trethewey told the Caller.
“Rural mums are the backbone of our country communities. I am so excited to visit Gundy and share the Motherland journey, which has evolved from my own deeply personal struggles as a mum on the land.
“Especially as mums, we always put everyone else first and this is a chance to celebrate us, to celebrate motherhood and to celebrate the local community as well. So it’s going to be a special day.”
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All proceeds from the event will go directly to the charity to help grow its impact in regional Australia.
Motherland Village is the country’s first online rural mother’s group program which has connected more than 150 rural mothers to personalised support groups.
The weekly Motherland podcast recently surpassed half a million downloads, sharing raw and real stories about motherhood on the land.
“What we stand for is authenticity and vulnerability and cutting back the crap and cutting back the pressure to be resilient, and to talk about the hard stuff,” Trethewey said.
“I think as mums we don’t often talk about it enough and you know, social media can just be a really dangerous place in some ways.
“A lot of people – it looks like it’s easy for them and it’s not.”
Goondiwindi mum Alice Woods joined Motherland Village last year and is now the organisation’s Queensland ambassador and host of this month’s fundraiser.
She said she now calls some of the rural mums she met in the program her closest friends.
“Motherland Village was a saviour for me after having my second child,” Woods said.
“The ladies in my group are still a huge part of my life. We celebrate the wins together, but also support each other through the hard times.
“Being the Queensland ambassador for Motherland is something I am so passionate about, to help other rural mums find their village.”
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Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur and Goondiwindi business owner Julia Spicer is also attending the event and said she was proud to be on the Motherland board.
“Events like this that help bring mothers and friends together are critical,” Spicer said.
“This region is great at supporting family and community causes, and certainly the work that Motherland is doing ensures that we have strong mothers and women in our communities.”
Tickets to the event are on sale until this Sunday May 14 and Stephanie Trethewey encouraged any mums who want to find out more about Motherland to come along.
“Queensland makes up a big part of our Motherland community. New South Wales and Queensland are the two most engaged states that we have when it comes to our program,” she said.
“Young and old – the day’s not just about celebrating women with babies, Motherland supports women of all ages with children on the land and maybe a couple of townies can come too!”
For more information and to book tickets, head to the Motherland website.