Matrescence Festival: A Weekend to Remember

Tori attended the Matrescence Festival in March, held right in our home town of Eltham. Hosted by Claire Tonti and Lizzy Humber. Here, Tori shares her experience as a Festival Support Volunteer, a Mother, and a Doula who holds mothers, through the transition that is Matrescence.

There’s something special about being in a room full of women who just get it, who understand the unspoken depth of what it means to mother, to change, to grow. The Matrescence Festival in Eltham had that feeling from the very start. It felt like a moment to take a deep breath, slow down, and reflect on everything that comes with motherhood and matrescence; the joys, the challenges, and the shifts we go through as we transform.

When I walked into the space on the first day, the atmosphere was calm but full of energy. You could feel a buzz in the air as women chatted quietly, easing into the weekend. The festival was all about connection, whether it was with ourselves or with each other. People shared stories, laughed, and asked questions, creating this beautiful, unspoken bond. The weekend was a reminder that there’s no rush to figure it all out. It was a space where every woman’s story felt important, where we didn’t have to compete for attention, but could simply listen and be heard.

As the talks began, there was a quiet, respectful energy in the room. Everyone was listening, absorbing what the speakers had to say. Amy Taylor-Kabbaz spoke about the nuances of matrescence, and I could see people nodding along, recognising themselves in what she shared. Dr. Winnie Orchard’s insights on the maternal brain stayed with me long after, while Jane Hardwicke Collings’ words on cycles and seasons struck a chord in a way that felt grounding. The whole room was in sync, connected by what we were learning, by the themes that resonated with each of us.

As the weekend unfolded, I noticed a change in how people held themselves, there was less self-consciousness, more ease. Conversations felt more intimate, less rushed. Even when it was quiet, there was a sense of peace in the space. The pressure to have everything figured out disappeared. We were just allowed to be, and that in itself felt healing.

I was fortunate to volunteer throughout the weekend and seeing it all unfold from behind the scenes made the experience even more meaningful. Being part of the team allowed me to witness the incredible energy that filled the space.

Looking back on the weekend, I think what I’ll remember most is how women showed up for each other. It wasn’t just about learning new ideas; it was about reclaiming parts of ourselves, reconnecting with our stories and the wisdom we hold. We weren’t there to “fix” anything, just to honour where we were in our journeys. And I left feeling grateful, for the space, the conversations, and the chance to be part of something that acknowledged the messy, transformative nature of matrescence.

As we look ahead and hope for more festivals like this, I’m reminded that the power of these experiences isn’t just in the workshops or talks; it’s in the shared moments, the connections, and the space to show up, as we are.

Hold The Mother is dedicated to honouring, and holding the Mother during life's biggest transitions. We are Melbourne based Postpartum Doulas supporting families within 30 minutes of Greensborough, Victoria. Suburbs including Eltham, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Plenty, Lower Plenty, Rosanna, Macleod, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Ringwood, Croydon, Warrndyte, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Doncaster, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Kew, Blackburn, Hawthorn and more

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