2025 has been a big one for growth, learning, and connection as we continue to tackle the causes of isolation in our community. Watching our online and local networks, volunteers, and supporters come together to celebrate life in the Hills has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite ongoing challenges with Facebook’s algorithm and changes to its Community Chats feature, our MOTHs group continues to thrive as a place for connection, information, and mutual support — now with nearly 8,000 members.

This year saw a strong calendar of events, both practical and joyful including the return of last year’s R.U.T.H. Run. Our craft nights, self-defence classes, and MOTHer ROCKers band brought laughter and reconnection.

The Welcome Bags initiative with MADCOW continues to grow, while our sessions and workshops on topics from disaster preparedness to women’s wellbeing and business networking were all designed to empower families and strengthen our community fabric.

Over the past 12 months we’ve hosted over 40 events, an incredible feat given our almost entirely volunteer base. Events ranging from workshops on bushfire preparedness and insurance to Earth Day celebrations and walks against family violence. Social events such as our clothes swaps and craft nights also had sustainability in mind, while our Check Me Out, mum’s groups and the R.U.T.H. run placed our physical and mental health and well-being front and centre. Practical courses on chainsaw use, car maintenance and first aid training aimed to build capacity.

2023 has seen enormous growth both in the number of online members in our online group as well as maturity in our governing body. The events have grown in number, size and objectives too. Likewise, our advocacy has expanded, dictated by the changing needs of the community. We are breaking new ground in online/place-based communication, working out ways for communities to use online platforms to benefit the place-based community. It’s a huge but rewarding challenge with the new MotHs Hub we’re excited for the future.

Advocacy played a major role in MotHs work in the community as we edged carefully out of COVID lockdowns and recovered from the storms. Along with our Federal election political debate, MotHs also highlighted issues around telecommunications, housing, emergency preparedness, domestic violence and mental health. Advocacy work was made possible by the wealth of knowledge held in by our MotHs Committee.