Motherland Australia

Cailyn Muntelwit grew up on cattle properties across Central Queensland in a loving but emotionally unstable home, navigating school, undiagnosed neurodivergence, and a brain that never switched off. At 19, she met her partner Frank in the stock camp, and by 27 they were starting a family of their own. But motherhood hit hard. With ADHD, a child navigating ADHD and autism, and a partner working away for months at a time, those early years became more about survival than balance. In this episode, Cailyn shares how she’s learning to break generational patterns, parent differently, and build a life that works for her family — including a business idea that unexpectedly took her all the way to Paris to represent regional Australia on the world stage. 
Motherland is proud to partner with Mums Matter, a bulk-billed psychology service, supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the journey of motherhood. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply not like yourself, you don’t have to go through it alone. Visit mumsmatterpsychology.com to learn more or book a telehealth appointment with Mums Matter.

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Not long ago, Alison Gossage made a decision that some rural women quietly face… but rarely talk about. She left the land. Ali is a mum of two, who was living and working on a farm in Esperance, WA, building a life in agriculture alongside her husband, raising babies in the bush, and doing everything she could to hold it all together. But behind the scenes… things were not okay. What started as the everyday juggle of motherhood - two under two, long days alone, limited support - slowly became something much heavier. Something that Ali didn’t recognise at first… and didn’t have the words for. Until one moment changed everything. For Ali, that moment led her to a diagnosis many women still don’t talk about… postpartum rage. In this episode, she shares what that actually felt like; the shame, the fear, the isolation — and what it took to ask for help. We also talk about the realities of raising young kids in rural Australia without a village, the pressure of farm life, and the incredibly hard decision to leave it behind in order to survive it. This is Ali’s story.
Motherland is proud to partner with Mums Matter, a bulk-billed psychology service, supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the journey of motherhood. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply not like yourself, you don’t have to go through it alone. Visit mumsmatterpsychology.com to learn more or book a telehealth appointment with Mums Matter.
PANDA National Helpline (Monday to Saturday) 1300 726 306  
Lifeline for Crisis Support: 13 11 14

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Ellen Fitzgerald is a mum of three living on a cattle property northwest of Longreach. Like so many rural mothers, her days are full… raising children, running a business, and building a life on the land alongside her husband. But recently, Ellen has found herself in a position she never expected… becoming an accidental advocate for rural families. Right now, Ellen’s family  (like many in remote areas) is facing the very real possibility of losing the in-home childcare they rely on, with current support systems not extending to families in her situation, making it increasingly unaffordable. I invited Ellen on the podcast to talk about this issue — and we did, but along the way I uncovered a much deeper story. Ellen’s journey to motherhood has been shaped by profound loss — from losing her own mum at just 21, to experiencing 4 miscarriages in a row, and then the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Adelaide. And still, she kept going. This is her story. 
A warning, this episode discussed multiple pregnancy losses including termination. If you need support: 
Red Nose Grief & Loss:  24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307
https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/ 
PANDA helpline: 1300 726 306
Mums Matter is a bulk-billed psychology service, supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the journey of motherhood. Mums Matter offers compassionate, evidence-based psychology via telehealth, so you can speak with a specialist from the comfort of your home. Visit mumsmatterpsychology.com to learn more or book a telehealth appointment. 

https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia

Last month, rural mum of two Courtney Moir was crowned the winner of Muster Dogs Season Four. But there’s a lot more to her story than what you saw on TV, and today she shares all of it publicly for the first time. From working in banking, to swiping right on a farmer, to moving to a remote property just weeks before becoming a mum — it was a lot of change, all at once. What followed was a period of anxiety and isolation and it wasn’t until Courtney found something just for herself… that things began to shift. Dogs soon became more than just a hobby. They helped her rebuild her confidence, find her community and become the kind of mother she wanted to be. And she just so happened to win a TV show along the way. This is Courtney’s story. 
When was the last time you had space to think about your goals? Parent Pathways is a free program offering mentoring, financial support and guidance to help parents and carers move forward. Eligible parents can access up to $1,250 per year. T&Cs apply. Head to: trainingalliance.com.au/parent-pathways/

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Rachel Bjelke-Petersen spent her childhood weekends travelling Queensland’s campdraft circuit with her dad. While horses, cattle and red dirt were always part of her, life took her in many directions — but something was always missing.After spinal surgery in her mid-20s, her goal was simple: get back on a horse… and she did exactly that. In 2022, she packed up and drove 1,100 kilometres west, where she says she’d never felt more at home. Then one unexpected moment changed everything… hitting a pothole and meeting her future husband! Within months, Rachel had stepped into life on Christian’s fourth-generation family property, and into motherhood. Alongside her husband, she’s since built The Old Hangar,  a thriving rural venue in the South Burnett. Rachel’s story is about backing yourself, trusting your gut, and building a life you truly love. This is her story. 
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When was the last time you had space to think about your goals? Parent Pathways is a free program offering mentoring, financial support and guidance to help parents and carers move forward. Eligible parents can access up to $1,250 per year. T&Cs apply. Head to: trainingalliance.com.au/parent-pathways/
https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia