When Steph swapped her fast-paced TV journalism career in Sydney for life on a beef farm in Tasmania, she never expected her journey would lead her to become a champion for rural moms. In this week’s episode of Tradie Wife Life, Stephanie Trethewey from Motherland shares her story—a journey filled with resilience and unexpected twists.

The transition from city living to rural isolation wasn’t easy for Steph. She faced intense loneliness and postnatal depression, both common struggles for many rural moms. It was these challenges that inspired her to create Motherland, a community focused on supporting rural moms who often feel isolated and unseen.

Motherland isn’t just an online resource. It’s a place for real connection—whether through support groups, a six-week program covering everything from relationships to self-care, or events like their national conference in Tasmania. The first conference, which attracted over 250 participants from across Australia, showed there’s a strong demand for this kind of support.

What truly sets Motherland apart is its grassroots approach to tackling the mental health crisis in rural areas. With over 90% of Australian farms being family-owned, the wellbeing of farming families affects us all. Steph’s mission goes beyond just supporting moms; it’s about creating a community of care and understanding for every rural parent.

Steph’s journey reminds us of an important truth: mental health in farming communities is vital, not just for those living on the farm, but for everyone who relies on their hard work to put food on our tables.

If you’d like to connect with Stephanie and Motherland, be sure to check out their Facebook, Instagram and their website for more info and support!

Listen to the full episode: