Local mums across the Central Queensland region are being encouraged to apply for a scholarship that helps reduce isolation and improve mental health outcomes across rural and regional Australia.
Motherland is on a mission to eliminate the crippling isolation many rural mums face by connecting them to a supportive online community and offering a mothers group program for rural women with children aged all the way up to 18, regardless of their age or location.
The national charity, founded by city journalist-turned-Tasmanian rural mum Stephanie Trethewey, has supported thousands of women, and has connected more than 320 mothers from all corners of the country through its pioneering digital program Motherland Village which launched in November 2021.
Now, with the help of a $1 million investment from the Queensland Government over the next three years, Motherland will be able to deliver even more services, support, and connection to rural mothers to meet growing demand across Queensland.
Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce said Motherland was a great service for local women to get involved with to help combat physical and mental isolation.
"We know the challenges of living in rural and regional areas, but we also know the value of community and connection through programs like Motherland," Mr Boyce said.
Motherland founder Stephanie Trethewey said the charity had a proven track record of helping counter the physical and mental isolation of mothers living in rural and regional areas across the country.
"Rural mums are the backbone of Queensland's farming communities. They wear so many different hats and are the glue holding their homes together, but they're often so busy looking after everyone else but themselves" Ms Trethewey said.
"Motherland has a proven track record of helping address the physical and mental isolation of mothers living in rural areas across the country, and we are thrilled to now bolster our services across Queensland thanks to funding from the Queensland Government.
"Around 15 per cent of our charity's engagement nationally stems from Queensland rural mothers, and with the state being such a critical part of our nation's agricultural sector, we want to grow our impact even further to ensure no rural mum is left behind.
"Through our new Motherland Connect platform , along with the Motherland podcast , Motherland Village program , Scholarship Fund, Motherland events, and advocacy, our mission is to ensure every Queensland rural mum can access the services and support they need."
