IT'S been helping mothers connect and find advice and support for three years, now the founder of Central West Mums is taking the networking group to the next level.
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Amorette Zielinski is organising MumFest for September 7 after receiving $5000 from Facebook and $3000 from Orange City Council.
Mrs Zielinski started the group after her own experience moving to Orange and giving birth to her younger Marlon soon after, without a network of friends around her.
She and husband Rob arrived six years ago from Canada so Dr Zielinski could help start the oncology department at Orange Health Service.
"I didn't know anyone, I didn't know about any groups, everything seemed to be word of mouth," she said.
Mrs Zielinski said there was only one mothers' group online, but it was stagnant.
Since starting Central West Mums, the group now has more than 2000 members.
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As well as posts from members, Mrs Zielinski has added an Hour of Power where mums could promote their businesses.
"There are a lot of treechangers coming to the area and they use this group as a go-to as a place to connect and a place to pick up information and valuable support," she said.
There is no other group like it.
- Amorette Zielinski
Then late last year, Facebook ran a grant program for pages playing a meaningful role in their communities.
Mrs Zielinski said members responded well to the idea of holding an event and she succeeded in winning the grant.
MumFest, to be held at the Greenhouse of Orange, will feature guest speakers author Taryn Brumfitt and Di Gill from the Centre of Rural and Remote Mental Health.
"I would like this event to have legs and run annually because in the midst of many different issues that mums and women face here like drought and financial pressures and social anxieties and geographical isolation, I see these on posts every day within the group," Mrs Zielinski said.
"There is no other group like it."
She said one in three women experienced anxiety in their lifetimes and one in six people experienced depression.
"We all know you have an increased risk of having depression and anxiety when you're a mum," she said.
Tickets are $45 and available via the Central West Mums Facebook page.
For those who do not use social media, email centralwestmumsinfo@gmail.com for a link to the ticket portal.
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