Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has accepted the role of Patron of Motherland.
National charity Motherland, which reduces isolation and improves the mental health of rural mothers across Australia, has today announced that Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has accepted the role of Patron of Motherland.
The patronage is a significant milestone for Motherland, recognising the organisation’s national significance and its vital work delivering programs, services and in-person events, alongside a supportive online community, to further its mission of ensuring every rural mum has access to the support she needs – no matter her postcode.
Journalist, Motherland Founder and CEO and 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania Stephanie Trethewey said the announcement was a landmark moment for rural families across Australia.
“The honour of having Australia’s Governor-General as Patron of Motherland is something I could never have imagined. This is enormous, not just for Motherland, but for every rural mum across this country who forms the backbone of our farming communities. Having the
Governor-General in our corner sends a powerful message: that rural mothers matter, and that their voices deserve to be heard at the highest level,” Ms Trethewey said.
Since launching in December 2019, Motherland has supported thousands of women from all corners of the country through its Motherland Village program, Scholarship Fund, Podcast, Motherland Connect Health platform, events and advocacy. The need for its work is profound: 84% of rural mothers say feeling lonely or isolated is the hardest part of rural motherhood, and 86% believe there is inadequate postnatal support available to them. Motherland’s virtual mothers’ group program supports women with children aged up to 18 — redefining what a mothers’ group can be, and ensuring support extends well beyond the baby years. An extraordinary 94% of Village program participants say the program changed their lives.
“Rural mothers are at the heart of some of Australia’s most enduring and remarkable communities. Supporting women who are isolated or lonely, particularly in times of need or in rural communities is a vital act of care and generosity. The work of Motherland reflects values I
care deeply about, and I am honoured to serve as Patron and support their vital work,” Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC said.
In 2025, Motherland also expanded its reach with the launch of Father Land – a groundbreaking podcast series amplifying the voices of rural fathers for the first time, exploring fatherhood, identity and mental health in the bush, reinforcing Motherland’s commitment to strengthening rural families as a whole.
With more than 30,000 rural women in its online community, a podcast with over 1.3 million downloads, and programs that have changed the lives of rural mothers from across Australia, there has never been a more important time to support rural families.
Our mission is to eliminate the crippling isolation many rural mums face by creating an online village and support that every rural mum can access, regardless of her location.
