Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Belinda Young

Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (16:13): I rise to acknowledge the outstanding contribution being made by a local community member, Belinda Young. In 2015, Belinda had an idea to use social media to connect and combat feelings of social isolation and loneliness for mothers across the Dandenongs. Seven years later her group, Mums of the Hills, has over 5000 members and is recommended by local maternal and child health professionals. It has supported mothers in identifying and seeking treatment for postpartum depression, responding to natural disasters and escaping family violence.

Belinda is a collaborator, working with key agencies and organisations to advocate for telecommunications, resilience, natural disaster preparedness, childcare services and mental health support. As if that is not enough, she is also a PhD candidate, studying bushfire prevention through collective action in California and Victoria. Belinda is the very deserving recipient of Victoria’s Australia Day Local Hero award for 2023, and I congratulate her on this wonderful achievement.