- National charity Motherland will host its first Hunter Valley event on Saturday 24th October at Tocal Hall, Paterson, bringing together over 200 women to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women and tackle the isolation faced by rural mothers.
- The event will feature a panel discussion hosted by local radio presenter Jess Farchione, with rural women Margo Duncan, Sarah Sivyer, and Susan Wakeford sharing their experiences of rural motherhood, alongside a grazing-style lunch featuring local produce.
- Motherland offers an online mothers group programme, podcast, scholarship fund, and health platform to ensure rural mothers feel connected and supported, regardless of their location.
- The event has been organised by a local committee of ten women led by sixth-generation cattle farmer and veterinarian Prue McCormack, with tickets priced at $75, and sponsored tickets available for those facing financial barriers.
- Motherland was founded by Stephanie Trethewey, 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania, who says the strong response to the event highlights how much rural women value connection and community.
Over 200 women will come together in Paterson on Saturday 24th of October as national charity Motherland hosts its first Hunter Valley event, celebrating rural motherhood, connection and community.
Motherland supports and connects rural mothers across Australia, reducing isolation and improving mental health outcomes through its suite of programs and services. The organisation is supported by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, who was recently announced as Patron of Motherland.
Held in celebration of the International Day of Rural Women, Motherland’s Hunter Valley event will take place at Tocal Hall, Tocal Agricultural College in Paterson on Saturday October 24 from 11am.
The charity is renowned for its online rural mothers group program, Motherland Village, and other key initiatives including its podcast, scholarship fund, Motherland Connect health platform and events, all designed to ensure no rural mum feels alone.
The Paterson event will feature a panel discussion hosted by local HIT Breakfast radio host and rural mum Jess Farchione, with three mums from the Hunter region sharing an honest conversation about the highs and lows of rural motherhood.
The panel includes Margo Duncan, owner of Boambee Angus and former Chair of the Tocal College Advisory Council; Sarah Sivyer, farmer and founder of Just Been Laid; and Susan Wakeford, former CEO of Red Meat Australia.
Guests will enjoy a grazing-style lunch catered by Sprout Catering, featuring local produce including beef from Allynview Farm, along with a welcome drink, Motherland gift bag and access to a special pop-up marketplace featuring local businesses.
Motherland Founder and CEO and 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania Stephanie Trethewey said the response to the charity’s first Hunter Valley event showed the importance of creating opportunities for rural mums to connect.
“Motherland exists to ensure no rural mum has to navigate motherhood alone. Isolation can have a profound impact on women living rurally, and creating genuine opportunities for mums to connect with others who understand their lives can make an enormous difference,” Ms Trethewey said.
“To have around 200 women coming together for our very first Hunter Valley event is incredibly special. It’s a powerful reminder of how much rural women value connection and community, and we can’t wait to welcome mums from across the region to Paterson.”
The event has been made possible thanks to the generous efforts of a dedicated local committee of 10 women, led by Hunter Valley rural mum, sixth-generation cattle farmer and veterinarian Prue McCormack.
Prue, who has previously shared her own experience of rural motherhood on episode 289 of the Motherland podcast, is available for interview about why local women have rallied behind bringing Motherland to the Hunter Valley and what the event means for mums across the region.
Tickets are $75 per person and sponsored tickets are also available for rural mums who would like to attend but for whom the cost of a ticket is a barrier.
While the event is a celebration of rural mums, everyone is welcome to come and celebrate, connect, and support this important cause.
To find out more about the event or purchase tickets, visit motherland.com.au/events.
About us:
Motherland is a national charity that exists to reduce isolation and improve mental health outcomes for rural mothers across Australia. Through its flagship Motherland Village program, podcast, events and online community, Motherland connects rural mums to each other, regardless of their location or the age of their children.
Contact details:
Jane McAlpine, Head of Marketing and Communications
