Our story
It started with one mum without a village.
Now, Motherland is a national charity creating connection and support for rural mums, wherever they live.
Our mission
To improve the mental health of rural mothers by reducing isolation and increasing access to support.
At the heart of that mission is a national community of rural mums across Australia finding connection, support and a village through Motherland.
Some of the women of
Motherland Village
The gap we're closing
Where you live shouldn't determine the support a mum receives.
For too many women, becoming a mother in the country means doing it hours from the nearest mothers' group, far from the family or friends who understand. The everyday support many mums rely on simply isn't there. It's a gap created by geography and compounded by a lack of investment in health services in the bush - and Motherland exists to help close it.
See our impact →of rural mums can't access a local mothers' group.
say isolation is the hardest part of rural motherhood.
Steph Trethewey · FounderHow it began
It started with a baby, a farm, and no village.
When I swapped the city for rural Tasmania after falling in love with a farmer, I had no idea how much it would change my life. It was a baptism of fire.
With no family, friends or mothers' group nearby, I found myself navigating motherhood without a village. The isolation was crippling, and my mental health declined rapidly. It soon became clear to me that I couldn't be the only rural mum feeling this way.
In 2019, I started the Motherland podcast from my kitchen table, sharing the stories of rural women in the hope that others might listen and feel a little less alone. Thousands did.
Those conversations grew into a community, and that community became Motherland - a national charity dedicated to reducing isolation and improving mental health for rural mums, no matter where they live.
“It takes a village to raise a child. No rural mum should have to go without one.”
Our journey
How we got here.
From one mum on a farm to thousands of rural mums connected across the country.
The Motherland podcast launches, sharing raw stories from rural mums.
Australia's first online rural mothers' group program launches.
Motherland becomes a registered Australian charity.
Our Scholarship Fund launches, removing cost as a barrier for mums.
We host our first local community event.
Our first National Conference connects hundreds.
Our digital health directory launches, connecting rural mums to services.
A national community that's growing every week.
The National Report
Australia's National Report into Rural Motherhood.
After nearly seven years supporting and listening to rural mothers, we're publishing a landmark report in October 2026 informed by the voices of more than 1,000 rural mums. It shines a light on isolation, connection, wellbeing, support and the pressures of motherhood in rural Australia - providing powerful evidence to help shape what comes next.
As featured in
Our founder and CEO, Stephanie Trethewey, was named the 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania for her work creating Motherland and connecting rural mothers across the country.
No rural mum left behind.
Whether you're here to find connection, access support, or help us reach the next rural mum who needs us – there's a place for you at Motherland.