Stephanie Trethewey, a dedicated advocate for rural women and the founder of Motherland, has been awarded the title of 2024 Tasmanian Australian of the Year.
Trethewey won the award for creating a solution to help rural regional mothers, having herself faced the profound challenges of raising children without support when she and her husband relocated from Melbourne to a beef farm in Tasmania’s Central North with their first baby.
In 2019, the former TV journalist set up national charity, Motherland, aimed at connecting mothers raising children in rural areas.
She also launched her podcast, Motherland Australia, along with Australia’s first online rural mother group program, Motherland Village.
The six-week online program matches rural mums to their own small support group to relieve isolation and improve wellbeing.
In less than two years, Stephanie’s online program has 20 virtual villages and is supporting over 200 rural women.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff congratulated Stephanie on being named the 2024 Tasmanian Australian of the Year.
“Stephanie’s inspirational and innovative work has helped bring rural mums all over the country together, and I thank her for being such a fierce advocate for farming families,” the Premier said.
“I know Stephanie will continue to be a great advocate for our regional communities and for Tasmania.”
Reverend Jim Colville, the Founder of Colony 47, was awarded the title of Tasmanian Senior Australian Of The Year, while Naarah, an actor, musician and Indigenous activist, received the title of Tasmanian Young Australian Of The Year.
Clair Harris, the Founder of Tassie Mums, was recognised as Tasmanian Australia’s Local Hero.
“Each of these recipients is making important contributions to the Tasmanian community, and I commend them for this important work,” Premier Rockliff said.
Tasmania’s four recipients will now go on to represent Tasmania at the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra on 25 January 2024.
