About us
Recommended by the World Health Organisation, donor milk preserves health and saves lives whenever breastfeeding is not possible.
We are a not-for-profit charity, so when you receive breastmilk from Mothers Milk Bank Charity, you are paying for the processing costs only – the breastmilk itself is free.
Our Mission
To support the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF’s Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding, along with the Australian government’s Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy: 2019 and beyond, which state that..
“infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.”
Our Vision
To provide families with the option of donor milk when needed, and to see all infants exclusively receiving breastmilk from birth to six months of age.
The Mothers Milk Bank Logo was created by Marea Ryan in 2005.
It symbolises two breasts empty of milk and two breast full of milk. Mothers in the community helping each other in a time of need.
Our Values
Equity
We are committed to expanding access and prioritising those most in need
Science
Our decision making is driven by scientific evidence based on the latest research
Public Health
We promote healthier communities by supporting infant nutrition and breastfeeding
Safety
We protect infant health through adherence to the highest standards of screening, processing, and pasteurisation as well as the ethical sourcing of donor milk
Care
We interact with all who are touched and influenced by our work – families, infants, milk donors, financial donors, community and medical partners, and team-members — with compassion and respect
Education
We raise awareness of how pasteurised donor human milk saves lives, improves children’s long-term health, and supports breastfeeding.
Our History
Established in 2006, Mothers Milk Bank Charity is a registered charity and Australia’s only community milk bank.
We provide, where breastfeeding is not possible, tested pasteurised donor human milk from screened donor mothers for pre-term and term babies with an established need and without any discrimination.
Our Founder
The founder of Mothers Milk Bank Charity was Marea Ryan, a highly respected midwife and lactation consultant. She was well ahead of her time.
Marea recognised that the fastest way to improve the survival of premature and very low-weight babies in hospitals was to ask mothers to donate their excess milk.
She also saw the importance of avoiding severe illness in vulnerable, non-breastfed term babies in the community and called on the broader community for volunteer help.
Board members, staff & volunteers
Staff, board members, and volunteers actively participate in research and present educational sessions at conferences. Their goal is to support as many mothers as possible in successful breastfeeding.
Additionally, they work to ensure that there is always enough donor milk available. This helps to avoid the well-known risks associated with infant formula feeding, especially in cases of need.
Today
Mothers Milk Bank Charity has grown from a small regional initiative in Northern NSW and South East Queensland.
It is now a nationwide service that supports mothers/carers in all states. This growth is thanks to the shared love of many donor mothers.
Countless hours of volunteer work and generous financial support from private individuals, volunteer groups, and the business community have played a crucial role.
Since 2017, the organisation has been expanding its reach.
Today, Mothers Milk Bank Charity’s specialist staff, volunteers and internationally recognised clinical and academic experts provide a reliable, trusted service to hospitals and compassionate, carefully supervised, efficient support to recipient families.
Meet Our Board of Directors
We’re proud to introduce the distinguished leaders who shape our vision and guide our progress. With expertise spanning multiple industries, our Board of Directors brings a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas to Mothers Milk Bank. Each board member brings compassion, expertise, and an unwavering dedication to helping others, ensuring Mothers Milk Bank makes a meaningful impact where it’s needed most.
Amanda Lucci
CHAIR
Dr Amanda completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University, before completing her Bachelor of Medicine.
She is passionate about breastfeeding and optimising access for families in need and/or struggling with their own supply.
Lynne Hall
MEMBER
Director Mothers Milk Bank Charity, Midwife, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Nurse, Master of Nursing (Ed), Author, Speaker, Clinical Nurse Facilitator.
Lynne keenly participates in the Charity to support mothers to breastfeed or provide safe donor breast milk to their babies and be part of the Charity’s innovative approaches to traditional freezing and freeze-drying methods. She is motivated by the extraordinary generosity of our donor mothers who selflessly donate their breast milk for others.
Richard Banati
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
MD, FRSN, Professor & Chair in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney Medical training in Germany and the UK. Research interests: Brain’s innate immune system and neurodevelopment. He has developed in-packaging pasteurisation of donor milk for the deployment in mass emergencies.
Breastfeeding is amongst the single most important measures to preserve infant health and development with resilience in adulthood.
The possibility to access donor milk for all infants in the community is a still neglected public health imperative. MMBC is the only community milk bank in Australia dedicated to this task.
Felicity Thomas
MEMBER
Senior Private Wealth Adviser @ Shaw and Partners Limited | Wealth Management | Podcast Host – Talk Money To Me
Bachelor of Property Economics | Graduate Certificate Applied Finance
Graduate Diploma Financial Planning | Master of Financial Planning
SMSF Specialist Accreditation | FASEA Qualified
Breastfeeding is amongst the single most important measures to preserve infant health and development with resilience in adulthood.
Felicity joined the Mothers Milk Bank Charity because of her deep passion for the not-for-profit space, particularly initiatives that support women, children, and babies. Understanding the critical role that breast milk plays in the health and development of premature and vulnerable infants, she was drawn to the charity’s mission of providing life-saving donor milk to babies in need. With a strong commitment to making a tangible impact, Felicity saw an opportunity to contribute her skills and network to raise awareness and support for this vital cause, ensuring that more families have access to the nourishment and care their babies deserve.
Rebecca Aziz
MEMBER
Pharmacist | Entrepreneur | Avid Traveller
Rebecca is a devoted mother who is passionate about supporting other families in need through her work with the Mothers Milk Bank Charity. With compassion and dedication, being a pharmacist, she is able to help make a difference in the lives of babies and mothers alike. Her commitment to this mission reflects her deep belief in the power of community and the importance of nurturing every child, no matter the circumstances.
Kitty Gayed
MEMBER
Dr Kitty Gayed graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from James Cook University in 2016.
Rodney Whyte
MEMBER
Rodney Whyte OAM
Senior Pharmacist, Monash Medicines Information, Monash Health Monash University, B Pharm, Grad Dip, FANZCAP, MSHPA
Rodney has an extensive background in hospital pharmacy, primarily as a clinician and medicines information specialist. He is the senior pharmacist at Monash Medicines Information, specializing in all aspects of medicine use, especially in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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