It has been three months since this year's Birth Wellness Festival, and we have taken time to reflect, regroup and plan the way forward.
This year, we moved the festival village to the other end of Murwillumbah Showgrounds. With the sunshine, the magnificent backdrop of Wollumbin and the people who gathered to celebrate birth, honour culture and share knowledge, it was a very special weekend.
Heartfelt thanks to our speakers, who shared their knowledge, wisdom and lived experience; to our performers, especially the wonderful Kinship Dubai Dancers; to our stallholders, food vendors, photographers, sponsors and supporters; and to everyone who attended, joined the conversations or came along with curiosity and an open heart.
And to our volunteers, who turned up, rolled up their sleeves, made Chai, sold tickets and helped wherever needed. So much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes, yet without them there would be no festival.
To our stallholders, food vendors, photographers, sponsors and supporters; and to everyone who attended, joined the conversations or simply came along with curiosity and an open heart.
The Little Things That Made a Big Difference
Tania Llanes has been part of the Birth Wellness team from the beginning. She helped create and hold the sacred space at our gathering, leading us in song as we acknowledged the four directions and the elements of Nature. It was a beautiful reminder of our connection to one another, to the land beneath our feet and to the natural world of which birth is so intrinsically a part.
A heartfelt thank you to my sister Lou, whose creativity and generous donation of decorations, prayer flags and bunting transformed the Showgrounds. Those fabric strips fluttering in the breeze created a calm, welcoming atmosphere and a sense of celebration throughout the weekend.
A Festival Within the Festival: The Children's Village
A very special thank you to Stephanie Jane Banks, who dreamed up and brought to life our Children's Village. With crafts, bubbles, creativity and plenty of fun, it gave children a safe, welcoming space to play while their mamas enjoyed the talks and activities, still within cooee of all the action. It was an important part of making the festival accessible to families.
Thank you, Steph, for your vision, creativity and all the love you poured into it.
A Special Acknowledgement: Naomi Jansson
I first met Naomi Jansson at our very first Birth Expo at Heart & Soul of Wellness. She immediately shared the vision of what we were trying to create, and she has been my co-director and fellow traveller ever since.
As a Chinese medicine practitioner, registered nurse and acupuncturist with a Master's degree in Chinese Medicine, Naomi brings a wealth of knowledge. Her dedication has always been to building strong foundations: the structures and infrastructure that support the festival's growth and longevity. Our different strengths have complemented and balanced each other, and together we have shaped a vision that continues to grow and evolve.
After our first year, when we had done almost everything ourselves and were exhausted, Naomi recognised the need for an event coordinator and a more sustainable way of working. Her commitment has always been to a festival where organisers can enjoy the experience rather than burn out. She has taken responsibility for liaising with speakers, coordinating the programme, orchestrating each day and bringing the dancers into the festival. Much of that work goes unseen, yet it is fundamental.
Naomi has now decided to step down as co-director. We will miss her involvement in the day-to-day organisation, but we want to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution she has made and the foundations she has helped establish.
On a personal level, I am grateful for the years we have shared bringing this vision to life, and for everything we have learned along the way.
Naomi, thank you for your dedication, your vision and the enormous work you have given to this festival. You will always be part of its story, and we would be delighted if you would consider remaining connected as an Honorary Founding Member.
The People Behind the Festival
None of us came into this as professional festival organisers. We have been learning as we go, guided by our commitment to birth wellness and our belief that these conversations matter.
Following the early contributions of Erica Zarin and Ellie Jansson, we were fortunate to welcome Jamie Brennan, our bold event coordinator for the past two years. Alongside her own studies, family and commitments, Jamie has given so much of her time, energy and heart. Her dedication and resourcefulness have been invaluable. Thank you, Jamie. We are deeply grateful.
Thank you also to our committee: Tania, Tahlia, Steph, Jade and Tilly. Each of these women has a busy life with family, career and other responsibilities, yet they give their time and skills because they believe in what the festival represents. When so much responsibility rests with a handful of people, the load can become very heavy.
A Little Update on Channel 7
Channel 7 visited the festival to record footage for a possible television segment. After concerns were raised about filming and consent, particularly around breastfeeding mothers, anyone concerned was offered the chance to review relevant footage and ask that they not be included. To our knowledge, no one took that up. We have not yet had confirmation of when, or whether, the programme will air. We will share any news we hear.
Looking Towards 2027: We Need More Hands and Hearts!
We are delighted to announce that the Birth Wellness Festival will return to the Murwillumbah Showgrounds on August 28 & 29, 2027!
The festival receives no funding or grants. Everything we do is made possible by goodwill, generosity, volunteers and people who believe that birth matters. We would love to welcome more people onto our committee, especially those who can help with marketing, social media, promotion, advertising and finding sponsors, so we can reach a wider audience and explain why the festival exists.
Our intention is to raise consciousness around birth, question the prevailing medicalised narrative and encourage a deeper understanding of birth physiology, women's innate capacities and the importance of informed choice. We are not here to tell women how or where they should birth. We are here to bring together different voices, experiences and perspectives for education, heartfelt conversation and community connection.