2023 -What a Year
Mums of the Hills Inc recently held our AGM. Here is a snapshot.
As we bid farewell to the remarkable journey that was 2023, the growth experienced by Mums of the Hills Inc (MotHs) stands as a testament to our collective dedication and unwavering passion for our community. This year has marked a profound evolution, not only in the surge of online members and the maturation of our governing body but also in the expansion of our events and advocacy initiatives, all finely tuned to the changing needs of our cherished community.
From its humble inception as a local online private group in 2015, MotHs has blossomed into a highly regarded ‘go-to space’ for support and advocacy, resonating beyond local boundaries to gain national acclaim. Our commitment to breaking new ground in online and place-based communication reflects a pioneering spirit, as we tirelessly explore ways for online platforms to enhance the well-being of our isolated place-based community—a challenge as vast as it is rewarding.
2023 has been a monumental chapter, defined by our earnest efforts to weave the digital and the local into a tapestry of connection, support, and harmony. In pursuit of this vision, we aim to forge a more connected, supported, and harmonious community, both in the virtual realm and the physical world. Our conviction in this endeavour extends beyond personal satisfaction, reaching to the recognition that a united community, particularly in our vulnerable location, can respond and recover with greater resilience from the challenges that nature throws our way.
The acknowledgment and support we received in the form of over $85,000 in community grant funding this year have empowered us to embark on transformative projects. The Head Start and Connected Communities Projects have opened doors to invaluable opportunities, from first-aid courses to postnatal groups, insurance, bushfire planning workshops, and community engagement events. The Check Me Out Roadshows, in particular, have been instrumental in encouraging our community back to preventative health checks following a reported decline in these since the onset of COVID.
Our volunteers, the lifeblood of MotHs, have once again proven their indispensable role in our success. From organising forest walks to pool parties, their dedication and generosity, both in time and fundraising efforts, are the cornerstone of our achievements. We extend our eternal gratitude to every individual who has contributed to the realisation of our goals, especially in establishing the MotHs Hub in Belgrave—a project of unparalleled scale and significance in MotHs history to date.
The growth we've experienced in 2023, though laden with challenges, has been undeniably worth the effort. As we look forward with anticipation, we are cognizant that the grant-funded events will conclude by mid-2024. This prompts us to eagerly envision the next chapter, steering MotHs towards a sustainable governance model that is less reliant on external funding, securing a vibrant and enduring future.
In closing, here's to an extraordinary 2024—a year of continued growth, connection, and triumphs for the MotHs community. May the spirit of unity and resilience propel us to even greater heights!
How You Can Support MotHs Inc
How is this all funded? In short - it’s not.
MotHs goes above and beyond for its community. As 2023 shows, we advocate on the issues we see, hear about and directly experience in our community. Our place-based hub has been an amazing addition to our community which will be used to connect mums, whether that is to services or social groups. It’s a great space for mums to work and study from too.
Telstra and Fletchers Real Estate have supported MotHs Inc. in 2023 with prepaid wifi and covering our lease, respectively. The remaining funds we collected during our renovation fundraiser have covered our contents insurance, electricity and water. Those funds and support will soon end, and no amount of volunteering will offset these costs. MotHs Inc. has grown far beyond the capacity of volunteers to run on an adhoc basis and desperately needs the ability to fund a part-time paid staff to reduce the administrative (emails, website, correspondence) load on our overburdened volunteers. Grant funding rarely allows the funding of staff.
Become a paid subscriber: Becoming a paid subscriber will go a long way to helping sustain MotHs for our community. For only $5.60 billed monthly or an annual subscription of $62 (saving $5.20), you will help secure the longevity of this community for the future mums and kids. Health Care concession prices are also available You will receive:
discounted prices to non-grant funded MotHs events,
discounted hire of the MotHs hub including free access to our work stations once a month.
early e-newsletters
List in our business directory: Our business directory is a volunteer run service we provide connecting local businesses to our online community. For $10 a month, you receive:
your web-listing,
Additional exposure through our business spotlights on our public Facebook page,
Exposure through our e-newsletter and
Featured in our private Facebook group.
Your listing helps us keep our website up and running, public liability insurance for events and other non-staff overheads, all while supported by volunteers.
Your subscription would mean the world to us. If you have ever been supported or benefited from the work MotHs does, please consider supporting us to keep it going. A little help will go a long way.
