Brisbane-based social enterprise Mumatopia is celebrating its first anniversary by offering up a week of pampering and nurturing to a lucky mum via a blog competition. McCullough said: “We did a questionnaire on Facebook asking fans what their idea of a mum’s utopia was and at the top of the list was cleaning fairy, followed by a grandma close by to mind the kids and a personal master chef.” “I can’t procure a grandma, but I have volunteered to be a cleaning fairy for a couple of hours as part of the prize pack which also includes a week’s worth of meals by Highgate Hill Master Chef Leith James of personal chef service Hospitality1, an aromatherapy massage by Anna Foley of AromaTouch Massage and a massage and nutrition package by Kenmore-based massage therapist Julie Williams of Live Organic Health. “We wanted to showcase the work we do to improve women’s wellbeing and thought this would be a fun way to highlight how important it is for mums to nurture themselves.” “Mums tend to put themselves last on the list, but really, if mum is happy, healthy and rested, it has a flow on effect on the rest of the family.” McCullough, a mum of three, offers a birth and postnatal doula service, runs mums retreats and works with Williams, mum of two, to provide the mother of all postnatal care packages. Their service includes several home visits offering massage therapy, nutritional assessments, breastfeeding support and practical in-home assistance such as cooking, cleaning, ironing, running errands and grocery shopping. McCullough was inspired to start-up Mumatopia by her own experience of early motherhood which was marred by severe postnatal depression and anxiety. “Postnatal depression and anxiety affects more than 16 percent of mothers*. Mums need a village around them to get through the sleep deprivation and exhaustion of parenting in those early days, but instead, many mums find themselves isolated. “In the Netherlands, new mums have 10 days of practical in-home support supplied by the government. In Australia, that level of support is non-existent, with the exception of Mumatopia of course.” For more information about the competition go to: mumatopia.com/competition. Entries close Aug 31. *source: Beyond Blue: The National Depression Initiative ENDS Media Contact: Cas McCullough 0438 898 706 Two Ipswich mumpreneurs have teamed up to offer weekend retreats especially for mums and mums-to-be in Southeast Queensland’s beautiful scenic rim, 90 minutes from Brisbane and one hour from Ipswich. Run jointly by Mumatopia’s Cas McCullough and Precious Packages’ Janette Adams– the retreat will feature transport to and from Mount Barney, accommodation in a historic colonial Queenslander homestead house at Mount Barney Lodge, yoga, good food, goodie bags on arrival, craft, nature walks, an eco-sunset tour, massage and for the more adventurous, rock climbing. “All mums need nurturing but we tend to put ourselves last on the list,” said McCullough. “The truth is that if we don’t look after ourselves, and refuel our tanks from time to time, it will affect our families and our health. “We welcome any mum to join us, including breastfeeding mums with their babies and want to give them a truly unique experience that they will treasure forever! Our aim is to send them home feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and inspired.” Cas discovered the value of mums retreats four years ago when her son was first diagnosed with Autism. “I went on a retreat organised by Autism Queensland and found it such a cathartic and rejuvenating experience. We’d been through such a hard year. It was good to have some time out to refuel, even if it was just for one weekend,” she said. “I came back feeling stronger and energised, ready to take on life’s challenges and clearer about my priorities.” The first Mumatopia Mums’ Retreat will be held May 27 to 29, 2011 and is open to mums and pregnant women Australia-wide. For further information about the retreat, visit mumatopia.com/mums_retreat/, phone 0438 898 706 or email cas@mumatopia.com. Bookings essential as spaces limited. Registration: $325 per person. The Mum’s weekend retreat package includes transport to and from the retreat (leaving from specified pick up points in Brisbane and Ipswich), two nights accommodation (2 mums sharing a room and limited private room options for breastfeeding mums), goodie bags, communally prepared cooked breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea over the course of the weekend, yoga, craft activities, a sunset eco tour with wine and cheese, enjoying the magnificent views of Mount Barney. Optional activities include massage, rock climbing and a permaculture garden talk and guided walk (additional costs apply). Contact: Cas McCullough on 0438 898 706 or cas@mumatopia.com.
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