It takes a Village
Why connection to community is essential to support the Women and Girls of the Northern Rivers
The Women’s Giving Circle is a gathering of women who deeply care for the Northern Rivers community. The Circle creates access to a pool of funding resources for the empowerment and wellbeing of women, girls, mothers, grandmothers, Aunties and sisters of the Northern Rivers. Central to this initiative is the recognition that collective effort is essential – grounded in the idea that it takes a village.
Postpartum Care Program Manager Kirilly Dawn shares her experience receiving a grant from the Northern Rivers Women’s Giving Circle.
“After birth, mums and families need community support, with nutrient dense food, emotional and cultural support, and rest for healing. This sacred time has always been tended to with care from community and country – and the way a mother is supported during this time is crucial for the ongoing health of the mother-baby, family and whole community for decades to come.
I’m a proud Barkindji woman who works with The Returning Indigenous Corporation to facilitate the Postpartum Care Program that creates culturally safe postpartum care for First Nations mothers, led by First Nations women. We were incredibly grateful to be recipients of a $25,000 grant awarded to us by the Women’s Giving Circle which has expanded the number of mothers we can care for.
We know that most mothers in our wider communities are struggling with feelings of isolation, depletion, financial stress, fatigue and mental health concerns in postpartum and beyond. For First Nations mothers and families, there are many additional factors caused by ongoing colonisation, adding to an already vulnerable time after birth. We want to tend to the mother, protecting the primary bond and wellbeing between the mother-baby, as a way of tending to the entire community.
With the grant money, the Program is able to nourish families with local, organic and native foods for the first 6 weeks postpartum, and in the next 6-months plans to support at least 15 mothers and babies and 75 family members with meal support. The investment has also allowed The Returning Indigenous Corporation to secure a commercial kitchen space in Mullumbimby and is able to invite community members that love to cook and care for mothers, to come and volunteer in meal preparation,” said Kirilly.
Leina Broughton, mother and founder of Madeit is a member of the Northern Rivers Women’s
Giving Circle, she shares her experience of being part of this community. Leina always felt a profound responsibility to create a ripple effect of love and opportunity that future generations, particularly women and girls, can rely on and draw strength from.
“Moving from Palm Beach in Queensland to Tweed two years ago, I immediately felt everyone’s innate instinct to support those that need a helping hand. Disaster tends to come knocking at our doorstep so frequently from floods to fires and pandemics to the everyday struggles of life, that giving back isn’t just a choice; it’s woven into the fabric of who we are.
I believe that in order for women and girls of the Northern Rivers community to achieve exceptional things, they deserve support to get there. That’s why I found myself drawn to the Women’s Giving Circle, a gathering of women who deeply care for our community, and a place for new and old friendships to blossom around a shared vision for the region.
As someone who’s spent most of her career in the fashion industry, I understand the empowerment and confidence clothes can give a woman. When I heard about the Walking Tall project during our Christmas event, a program that provides women facing domestic violence with mentoring, wardrobe assistance, and professional development, I felt a sense of pride knowing that when I joined as a member my donation has the power to contribute to similar projects like this. The Women’s Giving Circle was able to pool together $40,000 that will directly affect the employment rate, the wellbeing and the safety of our women and girls and I knew that was something I wanted to be part of,” said Leina.
The Women’s Giving Circle is on a mission to reach their goal of 100 members by 2024, pooling their resources and passion to make a real difference. If you’re interested in joining us visit nrcf.org.au/womens-giving-circle/
‘The Gathering’ held by The Returning Indigenous Corp. is a weekend long women-only event featuring workshops to help empower women to become caretakers and leaders in protecting land, waters and community.
Photos by Kiri Hance.
Below:
Members of the Northern Rivers Women’s Giving Circle (from left to right) Lela Diaz, Carmel Devine, Leina Broughton, and
Lynda Clarke.
Photo by Mikaela Mazzer from Mazzer
Photographics @mazzerphotographics_byron
