Belinda Young founded the Mums of the Hills Facebook group in 2015 to help mothers connect online and face-to-face in the Yarra and Dandenong ranges. The group, over 5,000 members, is recommended by local mother and baby services to new mothers.
Belinda has provided a steady source of practical support to help her community respond to and recover from natural disasters, collaborating with key agencies, organisations and groups – from organising insurance, bushfire preparedness and chainsaw workshops to coordinating storm-related information so it’s easier to access.
She has advocated for better NBN, infrastructure and childcare services, and voluntarily created and shared resources and communications during the 2020 and 2021 pandemic lockdowns for local businesses, including mental health and food directories.
Belinda has also supported mothers escaping domestic violence and others facing financial struggles, boosting the sense of community and care in the region.