Luncheon raises $6000
Olivia’s Place held its inaugural motherhood luncheon on May 6 at the Black Tie, Warragul.
The event was well attended with 80 guests enjoying food and some stirring stories of the experiences of local mothers.
Massage therapists provided complimentary massages to the guests throughout the afternoon and a mini-market was available for guests to purchase some Mother’s Day gifts.
Six women shared their journeys through motherhood in the lead up to Mother’s Day. Phoebe Hicks from Faces of Gippsland inspired women who work to take ownership of their pride in working and to embrace the role of a ‘career loving parent’. She encouraged those who contribute to their household in this way to ‘give up the guilt’ of not being present for their child while working and instead learn that it’s possible to both love children and love working at the same time.
Lucy Wilson, a teen mum now in her early 20s, shared stories of the support she had from her family and the instrumental role played by them in giving herself and her daughter a wonderful foundation from which to grow.
Rachel’s story, a client of Olivia’s Place, was presented with permission by Kirsten Finger of Olivia’s Place. Two of Rachel’s children arriving very close together in age meant the need for her to have an extended break from work in order to be present for her children. This resulted in financial hardship for her and her husband, which was eased for her family through accessing the services of Olivia’s Place.
Jamie Awty shared of the loss experienced and healing journey since the death of her daughter, Stevie Rose, in 2016 at the age of just three months following a brief and unexpected illness.
She spoke of the impact not just on herself as a mother and woman, but also her older children and husband at the time of Stevie’s death and also now as they prepare for the birth of their child later this year.
Carmel Riley, accompanied by her sister Miriam Wakeham, talked about mothering her young children following the death of her mother from cancer when her second baby was just 10 days old. Carmel’s story highlighted the importance for her, and for many, the role of extended family members, in particular her mother-in-law.
Lastly Megan Kelly, who is a 28-year-old mother to six children aged under six, along with her husband Lukas, related her journey. From marriage at a young age, children, followed by her husband’s job loss, more children, to the success they now experience with their business, LMK Building Services in Drouin. Megan spoke of these experiences shaping the reasons it’s so important for them that they now give back to the community and support Olivia’s Place.
More than $6000 was raised in the form of a variety of games and a silent auction.