Behind the Mask:
A Night of Celebration and Connection
On May 24th, something truly magical happened in the Hills. The chandeliers sparkled, the string lights twinkled, and our community came together, dressed to the nines and wrapped in mystery for the Monbulk Community Group’s inaugural Masquerade Gala.
It was a night of elegance and energy, but more than that, it was a night with meaning.
The masquerade theme wasn’t just for show. It was a thoughtful nod to something many of us understand deeply, especially those of us who are mothers. We all wear masks. Some are glittering and public: the cheerful school drop-off smile, the meeting-ready composure, the brave face during tough times. Others are quieter, worn behind closed doors - exhaustion, worry, overwhelm, or the quiet question of “am I doing enough?”
Motherhood, in particular, can come with its own costume, one that shifts depending on what the day demands. And yet, under every mask is a story, a strength, a person just trying to find her way.
That’s what made the night so powerful. It was a space where people could show up fully, masked or unmasked, in celebration, solidarity, and sparkle.
Mums of the Hills was honoured to be one of the beneficiaries of this unforgettable evening. To stand in that room filled with laughter, sequins, generosity, and the unmistakable hum of connected community was a reminder of why we exist, and why we keep showing up.
What many didn’t realise is that just over two weeks earlier, on Mother’s Day no less, MotHs quietly turned 10 years old. That’s a full decade of showing up for one another. Of answering messages at 2am. Of building a village that doesn’t just exist in theory, but in real, tangible support.
In my speech on the night, I shared a little twist on the old proverb:
“Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime.”
But give a mum a fish?
She’ll portion it, freeze it, label it, share some with a neighbour, and still wonder if she should’ve made a vegetarian option too.
Now imagine what happens if you do what Mums of the Hills does — offer a workshop that teaches mums how to fish.
Those mums then share their techniques across the network.
They form a co-op (complete with pre-wish yoga and meditation),
Next, they’d take a stall at the Kallista Market, raise funds to buy a community fishing boat, and go on to feed not just their own families, but their whole neighbourhood.
Then, because it’s the Hills, they’ll organise a cook-off that caters to allergies and gluten-free then prepare alternative vegetarian, and vegan options too.
Because community care is thoughtful, inclusive, and practical.
At MotHs, we don’t just feed the village - we build it. Our mission is clear: to reduce the factors that create isolation, whether they’re geographic, financial, emotional or systemic, and to create a culture where no one has to pretend they’re fine when they’re not.
To everyone who came, danced, donated, masked-up, and showed up with heart - thank you. You reminded us that community is built not just in moments of need, but in nights of celebration, too.
Here’s to the next ten years — and to the unmasking, unravelling, and uplifting we’ll continue to do together. Please enjoy the photos.
