b'ASSOCIATION NEWSCharis Mullen MP, Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk, and Emma Rowlings-Jensen GEELONG SHOW ATTENDEES SUPPORTED BY ABA FEED AND CHANGE TENTMAKING CONNECTIONS IN PARLIAMENT From October 1720 the Greater Geelong Group provided My ABA colleague Kay Whitby (Sherwood and Surroundsfeed and change facilities at the Royal Geelong Show. group) and I were honoured to be invited as guests of ourFamilies appreciated a clean and quiet place out of the local MPs, Charis Mullen, MP for Jordan and Jess Pugh, MPwindy weather to feed their children and change nappies. for Mount Ommaney, to a High Tea hosted by QueenslandsOur members and trained volunteers lent a hand in running Premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk, recognising women volunteerthe feed and change over the 4 days. It was a great leaders in local communities. success!Ive been working on building a relationship with Charis Mullen to help raise the profile of ABA and our local groupBelinda Chambers(Springfield and Surrounds) in the growing area. Charis is a big advocate of ABA. She called the Breastfeeding Helpline herselfPictured above: Breastfeeding Counsellors Belinda and Liz for support back before it was the National Helpline and hashaving a great time togetherbeen a big advocate for our group. Its been really greatPictured below: Member Carly enjoying a feed with her having her advocate and support our group and we have had2-week-old while volunteering at the Showa number of small wins as a result. Kay has been working with both her local and state MPs in her electorate area as well (youll remember Milton Dick standing up in Parliament last year advocating for the Australian Breastfeeding Association. That was Kays doing).Such a lovely morning tea and we even had a tour of Parliament House, including the Premiers Office, by the Premier herself.Such a treat and much more fun than work.Emma Rowlings-JensenBUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH WEEKLY DROP-INSCasey-Cardinia Group Leaders, Renae Sandeman and Hong Hao, this year started weekly drop-in sessions to give the local community more breastfeeding support and allow members the chance to catch up more often as once a month seemed too few and far between. They have had a great response to this idea and have built a lovely group of regular mums and bubs attending, as well as many new mothers seeking support. Renae and Hong appreciate the support of regular members who make new mums Connectionfeel so welcome and supported and bake beautiful goodies to be shared while group counsellors are busy speaking with mums. Local hospitals and MCHN services have been recommending the sessions and with new mums regularly dropping in for support, the service is working as well as we hoped.Kirsty PekusicPictured at left: Casey-Cardinia Group Leaders, Hong Hao and Renae SandemanDecember 2019Australian Breastfeeding Association | Essence |37'