b'ASSOCIATION NEWSCongratulationsMackay45 Years!I f youre going to celebrate 45 years of supporting localgroup discussion mothers to achieve their breastfeeding goals, thenmeetings, in the it makes sense to host the celebration during Worldsame way we do Breastfeeding Weekespecially as the 2019 slogan wastoday.Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding. Our 45th In Mackay, ABA is all about empowerment. We meet twice abirthday, month on a Tuesday. One meeting each month is a discussioncelebrated on meeting where we cover a breastfeeding/parenting topicSunday 4 August, and provide evidence-based unbiased information andwas a gatheringThe celebration cake was cut by ABA Members, Chris support. At the other meeting we meet at a local spot out in theof like-mindedBlack, her daughter-in-law Sarah and granddaughter community (usually a place that sells coffee) for what we callwomen across theNiav. Group leader, Palmina Rae made the cake and it a BLISS morningBreastfeeding Laughter Information Supportages and duringwas decorated with flowers from Ruth Carsons garden.and Socialising. the open mic The saying goes, Do something today, theyll talk aboutsection of the celebration it was lovely to have one of our fore-tomorrow. And here we are celebrating something that somemothers share words of encouragement to the young mums Mackay women did 45 years ago. of today. She complimented them on the amazing job they do The story was told that, in 1973, some mothers met forin balancing workplace, house-life and parenting duties. The coffee, in the same way we do today; they talked aboutevent boosted everyones awareness and enthusiasm for the breastfeeding, in the same way we do today; and they werework of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, both locally sad about the decline in breastfeeding, in the same way weand nationally.are today.Thankfully they decided to do something about it and theyPalmina Raestarted training with the Nursing Mothers Association. It wasnt as easy as it is now, as all the reading and training materials had to be bought or borrowed from Melbourne and they had to wait for an assessor to be passing through our small regional town.In just 2 short years, the Mothers Natural Feeding group had established regular public meetings in both Moranbah and Mackay. Leadership by Carmel Davison led to a $700 grant which in 1975 went a very long way. Libraries of valuable reading material were purchased for both towns and they2019 ABA Mackay Group Committee Members: were able to assist with training costs. Ellen Gulson (BC) with daughter Mauve, Jeany Edith Quinn and Jill Downs from Mackay and DoreneElliot (BC), Roanna Capone-Watson (BC), Schafferius from Moranbah were among the first qualifiedPalmina Rae (CE), Amanda Alderson, Ruth breastfeeding counsellors in the region. Together they keptCarson (BC), Lauren Dries-Finn, Annie Pratt the momentum alive with regular coffee mornings andwith son Cameron. Absent: Kate Gill (BC)25 people attended Mackay Groups 45-year celebration at the Breakwater Bar & Restaurant at Mackay Harbour on Sunday 4 August 2019.36| Essence | Australian Breastfeeding AssociationDecember 2019'