
Words by Em Armstrong
This Mother’s Day I wanted to showcase some of our AMAZING Mummas of the bush! Without the women and mothers in the bush, we wouldn’t get fed and watered, we wouldn’t have clean undies in the drawer, we wouldn’t make the school bus in time and we definitely wouldn’t make Saturday sport!
So, I hope you enjoy reading up about these amazing Mummas in our community, via a three-part series in The Saltbush Journal:
- Real Bush Mums - Meet Samantha Coote (pregnant mumma)
- This write up, Real Bush Mums - Meet Amy Fay (girl mumma - kids under 5)
- Real Bush Mums - Meet Sarah Houston (boy mumma – kids at school)
Have a read of all three or pick whatever stage of mum life you might be at, because there is normally someone else out there in the Saltbush community going through a similar journey with you.
And remember…wish yourself Happy Mother’s Day! Because we are all KICK ASS!
Big love. Em xx
Name and location:
Amy Fay, Boort, Vic.
How many kids do you have?
I have two kids – Sadie is nearly 4 and Harriet is 2.
Best gift you could get for Mother’s Day?
I should say time with my family but what I really want is some peace and quiet and some expensive socks 🤣
Best part of being a Mumma
I love seeing my girls grow into little people and learn new things. I find it so interesting and funny to watch them develop social skills and what they are playing, choose to wear and those type of things! It’s also shocking and a laugh to see how much they notice and copy, and pick things up around them lol.


Hardest part of being a Mumma
My husband Giles and I don’t have any day to day back up support where we live so the isolation on farm and the feeling of never getting a break can be really overwhelming at times. It is also difficult being so far from services especially hospitals and things like that. Also Toddlers and their emotions-need I say more!
If you had a weekend kid free what would you do?
I would go to Melbourne and stay in a nice hotel and do lots of shopping, eating and drinking!
Are you a full-time mumma (bloody queen) or do you HAVE work as well? (also, bloody queen)
I work as a Strategic Project Manager for Murray Dairy working in future farm systems, and I also have my own ag consultancy business called Propagate Projects. I love my work and the juggle can be really tough but I work with people who are really supportive of parents and their families.
Has Saltbush Stretch helped in any way in being a Mumma?
I had a really shit year in 2022 dealing with grief and loss, constant sickness for both me and the girls and then the Northern Victorian floods to top it all off! So I was in a massive slump with any type of self-care and already exhausted. Last Mother’s Day Sadie told daycare I mostly worked and went to the supermarket haha! It was actually really accurate. I decided to try Saltbush Squad a few months ago and it has helped me so much. I usually do it in my PJs before anyone else wakes up and it helps me start my day feeling calmer, motivated and easier to deal with all the chaos that usually follows.
Yoga or Pilates? What’s your fave?
I would usually say Yoga but the latest challenge gave new a real appreciation for Pilates so I have been enjoying that!


Advice you could give to another Saltbush Mumma out there who might be struggling?
I would want to give her a big hug and let her know she is doing a great job. I think to be a good Mum all you need to do is do your best and stay open-minded. We are pretty hard on ourselves sometimes. Don’t be scared to ask for help and there are some great resources out there. I have an amazing psychologist who I talk to regularly about family, work and all sorts of life challenges.
Drink of choice (at smoko time and after the kids go to sleep)?
I only started drinking coffee when I was living in Melbourne and Giles was in Hay to get me through the Hay Plains on Friday night but now I am absolutely addicted! And I love champagne to celebrate or commiserate.
Favourite quote?
If you aren’t happy with a coffee you won’t be happy with a yacht. Giles and I tell each other that when we need a pep talk.
Anything else you want to add?
Thanks Em for creating such an awesome community! I get so inspired by all the Mums in the bush doing amazing things whilst also dealing with all the challenges that comes with it.
Thank you so much Amy for your fabulous words! Being a mumma in the bush is really about sticking together, taking one day at a time and supporting other bush women 🩷
I feel so blessed to have you as a part of the community and can’t wait to see where The Squad takes us!
Hang in for the ride!
Big love. Em xx