News & Blog
All of the latest MotHs news, musings and articles. Stay up to date on what’s happening in the Hills, local events and key information for Hills residents.
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Belgrave Lantern Parade: Join our eclipse of moths
The Belgrave Lantern Parade is back on 20 June and we'd love an eclipse of moths to join us. Help carry our giant flying moth, become a little glowing moth yourself, and experience the parade from the inside. We have the materials and know-how to help create lanterns too.
Come for the magic, the mulled wine and the community spirit. Send us a message if you'd like to join our eclipse.
Financial Literacy: When Life Doesn't Follow the "Typical" Path
Who does the "typical" wealth-building pathway actually work for? After attending the Our Hills, Our Future event, I found myself thinking about the financial realities of caregiving and have started pulling together some fantastic free resources to help build financial confidence, literacy and security.
MOTHs Ski Gear Library now Open
Before you brave the ALDI ski sale and emerge with a trolley full of things you never intended to buy, check out the Mums of the Hills Ski Gear Library.
The Quiet Power of Neighbourhood Houses (and Why They Matter Right Now)
When things feel heavy, it helps to know there are places close by that can quietly lighten the load. Neighbourhood houses offer practical support, connection, and a sense that you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Why I love the Kalorama Chestnut Festival
There’s something about the Chestnut Festival that goes beyond the stalls and music. It’s the day the Hills come together, and somewhere along the way, strangers become neighbours.
What It Really Takes to Shift Housing Reform
I had the chance to speak on a housing panel this week. It was a reminder that housing touches everything. Work, childcare, safety, and whether families can stay connected to their community. Here’s what I took away.
What Yesterday’s Conversation Left Me Thinking About
We sat down with federal representatives to talk about childcare, family violence, and the realities facing families in our community. What was shared in the room was thoughtful, honest, and deeply lived. But what stayed with me most were the gaps in the conversation, and what we didn’t get time to say.
A System Built for Crisis, Not for Us
Support is out there. But in the hills, getting to it isn’t always simple. As costs rise, more families are quietly pulling back from the things that keep them connected. The services exist, but they’re often out of reach until things hit crisis. This piece explores where the gaps are and why local support matters more than ever.
March
March wasn’t just busy, it was meaningful. From International Women's Day conversations to DGR recognition and disaster recovery discussions, one thing stood out: connection changes outcomes. This piece reflects on the spaces where women, community and lived experience shape what comes next.
School Holidays without the drive
Skip the traffic but keep the fun. Here is your guide to school holiday activities local to the hills.
Enough is Enough: Where It Began and Why It Must Continue
Enough is Enough began in the wake of tragedy in our own community, when partner violence was no longer a distant issue but a local reality. What started as a collaborative call to action has grown into a commitment to prevention, connection and cultural change. As International Women’s Day 2026 calls us to “Balance the Scales,” this article reflects on where our campaign began — and why sustained, organised advocacy is now more important than ever.
Expression of Interest – Community Support Space
The recent ABC Four Corners episode reported on allegations concerning medical treatment provided to women in our broader region. While investigations and formal processes will take their course, the program has understandably caused distress for some members of our local community. This expression of interest is simply about offering a space of care and connection for those who may be affected.
A Strong Finish to an Incredible Grant
We finished with a splash. From self defence and teen parenting support to gut health, alcohol free conversations and a giant bomb dive at the pool, our Yarra Ranges Council Community Grant journey has been powerful, joyful and deeply connecting.
Give To Gain: Reclaiming the meaning
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Give To Gain.
At first glance, it sounds simple. But what if it is less about transaction and more about culture? Less about what we receive, and more about what we model.
What happens to a community when women celebrate each other openly? What happens to mental health when generosity contracts? And what kind of world are we shaping for our daughters through the way we speak about other women?
I’ve shared some reflections on this year’s theme and what it might really be asking of us.
Bushfire season: A salute to mums
Cancelled school, emotional-support soft toys, and “working remotely” from a shopping centre food court. A poem for mums holding it together during bushfire season.
Come as you are
This blog explores the subtle ways women learn to monitor their bodies from a young age, how those habits shift through motherhood, and why connection matters more than confidence. It weaves personal story with research and reflection, without asking anyone to “fix” themselves.
It Could Have Been Us: Grateful but Heartbroken
When last week’s fires raged just beyond our doorstep, every mum, kid and neighbour on the mountain felt it. We were lucky - heartbreakingly lucky. Now our community is asking: how do we support those who weren’t?
Here’s where to start, and how to help gently, wisely and together.
Making Christmas Merry with the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service
MotHs is once again proud to support the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service Inc. (DRERS) and their annual Christmas Gift Appeal. DRERS has been helping local families with dignity and care since 1998, and their Christmas program is beautifully tailored to meet the real needs of families right here in the hills.
Reflections on The Big Map
A reflection on the questions attending the Big Map workshop raised and what happens when emergency services and communities try to work together. A fun, honest look at trust, habits, online groups and why community networks matter most in a disaster.
MOTHs Officially a Registered Charity
We Did It! Mums of the Hills Inc. is now a registered charity!
