Rural mums in Queensland struggling financially will now be able to access the Motherland program for free.
In an Australian first, the Queensland Government has announced $1 million in funding over three years to enable the charity to deliver more services, support and connection for rural mothers across the state.
Motherland founder and CEO Stephanie Trethewey said the investment would “turbocharge“ Motherland’s mission to reduce the isolation and improve the mental health of rural mums.
She said more than 20 per cent of the charity’s engagement nationally came from Queensland mothers, with growing demand for its support services.
“This is the first investment of its kind into rural motherhood nationally and I want to thank the Queensland government for backing rural women who are the linchpin of our farming communities,“ said Ms Trethewey.
“This support will help power Motherland’s vision to ensure no Queensland rural mum is left behind.“
Motherland is developing a Queensland-focused strategy that will bolster its services to rural and remote women in Queensland.
This will be achieved through its soon-to-be-launched Motherland Connect platform, the Motherland podcast, Motherland Village program, Scholarship Fund and Motherland events.
“We know Queensland mothers are strong supporters of Motherland and are in need of the programs we are offering,“ said Goondiwindi-based Motherland chair Julia Spicer OAM.
“This support from the Queensland Government shows that it understands being a mum in rural and remote areas in Queensland creates added challenges.
“We will be able to really achieve for Queensland through this support.“
Motherland Queensland ambassador Alice Woods is Motherland’s “boots on the ground” in the state and also facilitates online Motherland Village groups from her home near Goondiwindi.
“Motherland’s work in supporting rural mums is vital in communities like mine,” she says.
“The distances in Queensland can be a huge challenge with poor technology and lack of services. The buzz around our recent Mother’s Day fundraising event held in Goondiwindi just illustrates how valued Motherland’s services are in helping women to connect.
“This funding is such an exciting opportunity for Motherland to extend its reach and support to even more rural women and their families across Queensland.”
Queensland’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said the funding meant more rural women would receive the support they needed, when they needed it.
“I’m so thrilled that our budget includes this crucial funding for Motherland to be able to expand their care to even more rural mothers across Queensland,” Minister Fentiman said.
“The Motherland team do an incredible job supporting the health and wellbeing of our rural mums and the Miles Government is proud to support them in the delivery of this vital work.”
Motherland is a national charity that was founded in 2019 by TV journalist turned farmer Stephanie Trethewey.
Ms Trethewey is the current 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania and in 2022 was awarded the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her pioneering work.
Over the past 12 months, the charity has extended its reach across Queensland, appointing its state-based ambassador, with plans to invest in more roles in the future.
Fast Facts
* Motherland is a national charity that advocates for the emotional wellbeing of rural mothers in Australia
and delivers services that help build resilience and improve mental health outcomes.
* The Motherland podcast, which shares real and raw stories of rural motherhood every week, recently
clocked 950,000 downloads, while Motherland Village, Australia’s first online rural mother’s group program has connected more than 280 rural mothers to their own personalised support group in just over two years.
* More than 90 per cent of rural mothers who say they were struggling with their mental health before joining Motherland Village say the program improved it.
* In March 2024 the charity celebrated its inaugural national conference and in May 2024 held three Mother’s Day fundraising events to connect rural mothers, including in Goondiwindi, Queensland.
