MOTHer ROCKers take to the stage
On July 31, the Mums of the Hills band, MOTHer ROCKers played our hearts out at our very first gig at Parents Battle of the Bands. All 13 of us. If you’re wondering what community resilience looks like, it’s this.
Most of us were strangers when I asked, “Who wants to start a band?” in MotHs private online group. What we built was better than any of us expected. Yes we talked about breaking the mum stereotype and also raising female voices, particularly following the recent male-heavy Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs poll. But behind the music were stories: cancer survivors, single parents, women navigating financial struggles, hidden disabilities, and children with additional needs. So much, quietly carried behind our smiles.
Quite frankly, I didn’t really care if we sounded any good because this wasn’t just about the music, it was about courage, connection, and the joy of having fun. Over the past 7 weeks, we’ve stepped up and supported one another as we pushed ourselves way out of our comfort zones. Together we sang and played our hearts out, and I think we sounded amazing. The hugs I got from my teenage sons (in public!) and their look of pride were my personal reward. Collectively, we’re now not just a band, but firm friends.
When you live in a community vulnerable to disaster, you’re always thinking about who you want in your court when things turn sour (or at least I am). Community resilience building for disasters doesn’t have to focus on disaster education, engagement, skills or workshops. Following a disaster, your connections are the most valuable thing to have. These can’t be taught or built. They need to be grown carefully in ways that are both fun and meaningful. I know, if disaster ever strikes (personally or collectively), my bandmates will be right there in the moment and long after the emergency services and support agency have left.
Community resilience can take on many forms and look differently in every community. This, however, is what community resilience sounds like.
