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.

Over the past year, we’ve organised more than 40 events, an incredible achievement for a group powered almost entirely by volunteers. We believe that no one should feel disconnected or isolated from the community around them. Isolation is often a reality accepted by women navigating the years of motherhood, but the impacts can be devastating and wide reaching. Together, we’re addressing the factors that create isolation in our community while connecting mothers to services and the community.

Getting women’s health back on track has been a huge part of this year’s goals. We are so grateful to Dr Marina McPherson, Emma Gilmour and Katie Underwood for sharing their stories and voice to both inspire and encourage others to care for self.

We’re counting down the days until Halloween on the Green is back at the Ferny Creek Reserve .

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.