'I wanted to connect with other mums'

I moved to Stanwell Park five years ago, after the birth of my first daughter, Ayla.

My mum had moved to Stanwell Park a few years earlier and my sister and her family had lived in Helensburgh for 10 years. When my first daughter was born, I suffered a life-threatening medical condition where I had a two-litre blood hemorrhage and a collapsed lung from the pressure of labour. As a result of a traumatic birth experience, I struggled as a first-time mum. I was living in the city with no connection to my neighbours, and wanted to be close to my family.

I spent most of my maternity leave in Stanwell Park at my parents’ place, where I emotionally healed and fell in love with Stanwell Park.

We bought a house in Railway Crescent and celebrated a combined housewarming and first birthday party for my daughter in our new home.

Shortly after her first birthday I was admitted to hospital with an infection. The infection quickly became serious and I spent the next three weeks in the infectious disease ward with Septic MRSA (antibiotic resistant superbug). I had multiple operations to remove the infection, I was given a 50% survival chance and I nearly lost my left leg.

When I left hospital I had a long road to recovery and once again healed in Stanwell Park. I received incredible support from my neighbours, Dr Beaufils and the 2508 community.

When I became pregnant with my second daughter, Goldie, I knew I wanted to do things differently. I wanted to connect with other mums in the community who also had young families.

I created a ‘Stanny mums’ Facebook group. We’ve become a great support for each other … These mums feel like family and we very much have a ‘village’ mentality to raising our kids.