When disaster strikes, it’s not just emergency services or government agencies stepping in—it’s everyday people, neighbours helping neighbours, and community groups rallying together. Turns out, the mum or bloke next door with a chainsaw and a knack for fixing things is just as important as the official response teams—because let’s be real, bureaucracy doesn’t clear fallen trees or get your power back on nearly as fast as a determined local with a toolbox and a can-do attitude.

Four candidates vying for the federal seat of Casey—Merran Blair (Greens), Aaron Violi (Liberal Party), Naomi Oakley (Australian Labor Party), and Claire Ferris-Miles (Independent)—recently participated in a community forum where they outlined their key policies and addressed pressing local issues. The discussion covered a range of topics, including cost of living, gendered violence, childcare, telecommunications, and climate change.

February was a big month for us at Mums of the Hills (MotHs). From providing self-defense classes to meaningful political engagement and valuable parenting support, we’ve been busy making an impact! Here’s a look at what we accomplished this month:

We know that when mums are supported, families are stronger. When families are stronger, communities thrive. That’s why we are pushing for change—advocating for recognition, resources, and real solutions.

Back in November, Belinda traveled to Sydney to discuss the housing crisis, and last weekend, 100 everyday Australians took it one step further. They did what politicians have failed to do: engage in a serious, solutions-driven debate to determine what will truly make a difference.

This is our personal account of a global issue and its impact on individuals and families within our community. Misinformation and disinformation are not just broad societal concerns; they affect real people, real conversations, and real decisions made in groups like Mums of the Hills Inc.

Postnatal care is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of healthcare. For many mums, the weeks and months after birth can be a mix of exhaustion, recovery, and emotional highs and lows.

However, the 2023 Victorian Women’s Health Survey and the Mums of the Hills 2024 survey have made it clear: many women are struggling to access the postnatal care they need due to cost, availability, and a lack of awareness.

The Climate Council’s latest report, Too Close to Home, presents alarming evidence of the increasing frequency and severity of climate-fuelled disasters in Australia. Among the hardest-hit regions, the Yarra Ranges has experienced significant climate-related disasters since 2019/20, highlighting the urgent need for sustained focus on climate change.

Finding childcare has become one of the biggest concerns for parents of young children in Casey, exacerbating everyday stresses and curtailing any attempts to provide additional income at a time when interest rates and the cost of living have skyrocketed.

It's easy to see why we love living in the Yarra Ranges, but as the federal election approaches, residents are keen for their voices to be heard on key topics that affect our community. These topics, including housing, childcare, climate change, infrastructure, road safety, and gendered violence, significantly impact the local community's well-being and way of life.

January was a big month for advocacy at MotHs, with key meetings and events helping us strengthen connections and amplify the voices of our community. From attending events at Government House to inviting Premier Jacinta Allan to the Dandenong Ranges, we’ve been working hard to put local issues on the agenda.

As we prepare to welcome 2025, it’s time to look back on all we’ve achieved together in 2024. This year has been one of immense growth, collaboration, and community building. From empowering events to meaningful initiatives, our shared efforts have created ripples of positivity across the Hills.

Let’s celebrate the highlights of 2024 and look ahead to an even brighter 2025!

As we wrap up the 2023/24 community grant funding cycle, we’re filled with pride and gratitude for everything we’ve achieved together. These funds have enabled us to create meaningful, inclusive, and empowering events that brought our community closer while making a positive impact. Let’s take a moment to reflect on these incredible initiatives and the difference they’ve made.

As we step into 2025, we thought you’d like to know the diverse range of events and initiatives planned designed to empower, educate, and connect our community.

What makes Mums of the Hills private online community special? Easy - it’s the members who believe in the culture and take responsibility for it. There is much more to it though. With the news of changes to the social media laws for our teens this week, Dr Belinda Young discusses some key skills that we all need to maintain a safe and supportive online space.

The AFAC seasonal outlook for summer, outlining potential fire danger across Australia, was released today. In the face of growing bushfire risks exacerbated by climate change, it is clear that preparedness requires a multifaceted approach. Mums of the Hills recognises the role of gender dynamics in decision-making, addressing the barriers women face in being heard, and importance of fostering collaborative responsibility within households to create safer and more resilient communities.

The other day I sang Tim Minchin’s ‘White Wine in the Sun’ to a colleague unacquainted with the song. I got 2 lines in before the tears started.

Each year, we are confronted by the tragic loss of women and children to acts of violence that should never happen. The Australian Femicide Watch's RED HEART Campaign has long worked to ensure these lives are not forgotten, meticulously tracking every known Australian woman and child lost to murder, manslaughter, or neglect from white settlement to the present day.

This month, the name Isla Bell will be added to this tragic record. Isla was just 19 years old, a young woman with her whole life ahead of her, taken far too soon. She was a local, one of our own, just beginning to explore life’s possibilities and adventures.

In November, President Belinda Young joined ten community representatives from across Australia in Sydney for AMPLIFY’s National Housing Amplification. Together, they tackled 46 proposed housing reforms presented by think tanks, academics, industry leaders, and advocacy groups. This blog details their reflections of the event and on task at hand.

As Christmas and the end of the year approaches, the community feels the tug of the season—planning festive events and break-up parties while juggling the year’s final ‘To Do’ list. It’s a time when everyone is a little tired and wanting to relax, but also mindful that bushfire season is near, reminding us of the need for preparation and the resolve to look out for one another.

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.