Group home
Welcome to Hamilton Group!
Welcome to the Hamilton ABA Group, where we offer a supportive local network of mums, breastfeeding counselling, and evidence-based resources. Our services include breastfeeding education classes, drop-in support sessions, breast pump hire, monthly meet-ups and feed and change facilities at some local events — connecting you to practical guidance and peer support right here in your community.
Access accurate information about babies and breastfeeding in a supportive environment in Hamilton.
We support all families at any stage of parenting. Mums who are exclusively breastfeeding, mixed-feeding, bottle feeding, exclusively expressing or not breastfeeding are always welcome. We chat in a relaxed setting and there is access to a breastfeeding counsellor or educator who can assist you with any breastfeeding questions, worries or issues you may be having. Locally we offer a range of services.
Monthly meet ups
We meet casually on the first Wednesday of the month for a variety of events. We welcome all parents, as well as their support people, and health professionals.
View our activities on the Calendar Tab or visit our Facebook group. You can also search ABA Hamilton Group.
Breastfeeding Education Classes
Expecting a baby? Our Breastfeeding Education Classes are a great way to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives. We run classes in the Education Center at Western District Health Service - Foster Street, Hamilton several times per year.
Our classes are $35 per couple for ABA members or $125 for non members (includes ABA Membership)
Get your ABA membership here ($90 Virtual Village) before signing up to your class.
You may also like to apply for funding to cover this class. See our grant application form for more details here.
2026 class dates
- Sunday 26th April - bookings here
- Sunday 26th July - bookings here
- Sunday 18th October - bookings here
2027
- Sunday 17th January - bookings here
Contact Breastfeeding Educator/Counsellor Cassie on 0400 261 018 or email hamilton@breastfeeding.asn.au if you have further questions or for assistance to book.
If our upcoming dates don't suit you, please get in contact with Cassie to find an alternative time or you might like to join one of our online Breastfeeding Preparation Sessions which run weekly during the evenings or at weekends. We encourage you to book in early if you are pregnant and wanting to learn more about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Drop-in
We are excited to offer face-to-face breastfeeding drop-in sessions at the Melville Oval Pavillion (Function Room) Connect directly with an ABA Breastfeeding Counsellor for evidence-based support tailored to you and your baby. No appointment needed - just drop in with your baby and your questions and for guidance and reassurance .
Drop-in Sessions are run on Thursdays from 1-2pm on the following dates:
- Thursday 29th January
- Thursday 12th March
- Thursday 23rd April
- Thursday 4th June
- Thursday 16th July
- Thursday 27th August
- Thursday 8th October
- Thursday 19th November
Want to speak to someone sooner? Call our 24/7 Helpline at 1800 686 268.
Where we are
Hamilton and surrounds
Who are our Volunteers?
Kelly Thomas
ABA Roles
Group Leader • Breastfeeding Counsellor • Breast Pump Hire Officer • Treasurer
Tell us about yourself
Hi, I’m Kelly — mum to four children (three boys and a girl) and I’ve been parenting for 13 years. I love being part of a community where we genuinely get to know local families and support them as they grow. My kids are getting older now and we are busy with lots of activities, but I continue to feel at home with ABA.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey
I breastfed all four of my children, totalling 10 years. I experienced just about every challenge along the way, which is what motivated me to train and learn how to support others to reach their own breastfeeding goals. When I first became a mum, the ABA website was my go-to source of trusted, evidence-based information.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding?
I’m passionate about breastfeeding because of the connection it creates and the lifelong health benefits for both babies and parents. Supporting mothers and babies helps build strong families and communities, and shapes the future of our world!
I love seeing new mums thrive in our group, returning each month with more confidence, and then getting to watch their families grow. Many have gone on to become volunteers themselves — a reminder of how this support is passed from one generation to the next.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA?
I’ve been involved with ABA since my first child was little. I love working with our local Hamilton group and the wider ABA community across Australia. This kind of volunteer work is often quiet and unseen, but it has a lasting impact — knowledge, confidence and care being shared, remembered and passed on long after those early parenting years.
Emma Rymarz
ABA Roles
Breastfeeding Counsellor • Group Activities Organiser
Tell us about yourself
I live in Hamilton with my husband Joachim and our son Conrad (born 2023). After living in Geelong and Melbourne, we moved to the South-West and quickly fell in love with the slower, family-friendly pace of regional life.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey and any goals
Although breastfeeding is natural and healthy, I learned that it’s also a skill. In the early weeks, I experienced nipple tenderness and worried I wouldn’t be able to continue if the pain persisted. Thankfully, it didn’t, and Conrad and I went on to breastfeed until he was two — far beyond my original goal of 12 months.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding offers immense health, environmental and economic benefits. In today’s society, care work is often undervalued, and breastfeeding is sometimes overlooked. I’m passionate about helping women reclaim this important part of motherhood for their own wellbeing and their children’s.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA?
My smoother start came from having some prior knowledge, supportive loved ones and strong motivation — things not all women have access to. I want to help educate families and provide one-on-one support when challenges arise along their breastfeeding journey.
Cassie Franklin
ABA Roles
Breastfeeding Counsellor & Educator • BEC Class Facilitator
Tell us about yourself
I’m Cassie, mum to Elka (2019) and Sienna (2022). I love living in our close-knit community and spending time with family. Outside of mum life, I enjoy good food, a glass of wine, and being creative. I am also aiming to take on the Serra Terra hike in 2026.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey and any goals
Both of my breastfeeding journeys were around 2.5 years. In the early days I navigated oversupply, leakage, caesarean recovery, and learning to feed with larger breasts. I returned to work early, sometimes bringing my babies with me or working from home. By around ten months, I was expressing while they attended daycare. My goal was always gentle, child-led weaning around two years or beyond.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding?
I love the comfort, connection and health benefits breastfeeding brings. I’m passionate about showing families that breastfeeding can adapt to modern life, work and changing routines as children grow.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA?
The ABA & local Volunteers supported me through my own journey, and volunteering has been a meaningful way to give back. I love helping parents feel informed, calm and confident, to make decisions that suit their own family dynamic & am especially passionate about proactive education for expectant families. Being part of such a supportive community has also led to wonderful friendships.
Marlene Connolly
ABA Roles
Breastfeeding Counsellor • BEC Class Facilitator
Tell us about yourself
I’m Marlene, originally from Denmark, and moved to Australia in 2010 with my husband. We have two daughters, born in 2016 and 2018. I love spending time with family and friends, and for “me time” I play the flute in the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey and any goals
I breastfed both my girls for around 1.5 years and loved the experience. After caesarean births, I was able to establish breastfeeding early in recovery. My husband was a wonderful support, and I was also fortunate to have a lactation consultant midwife for my first baby who helped with attachment. I followed my girls’ cues, which led to gentle, gradual weaning that suited us all.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding benefits both mum and baby in many ways, and every mother can adapt it to suit her own life and circumstances.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA?
The ABA has been a very important part of my parenting journey. I love educating parents — especially about breastfeeding and partner support — to help set families up for success. I also value the warm, relaxed and supportive social environment the ABA provides for parents and babies.
Cody Spicer
ABA Roles
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Tell us about yourself
My name is Cody and I’m a proud mum to two boys — Hugo (202) and Alec (2023). We live in Tarrington with my husband Brad, where we love (and sometimes hate!) renovating our little cottage together. I also enjoy fashion and expressing my identity through clothing, and I love encouraging others to do the same.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey and any goals
I’ve now finished my breastfeeding journey and look back on that season of life fondly. While it came with its challenges, I successfully breastfed my boys for nearly five years in total, including breastfeeding through pregnancy and tandem feeding for over a year. I love encouraging mothers to explore the many different ways breastfeeding can look and work for them.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding?
With a science background, I’m passionate about research and evidence-based information. I feel the benefits of breastfeeding aren’t always clearly communicated, and I want to help families make informed choices about how they feed their babies. I’ve experienced firsthand how empowering and enjoyable breastfeeding can be, and I want others to know that too.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA?
Supporting families through the perinatal period is incredibly important to me. It’s a vulnerable time that deserves care, compassion and understanding. I love building strong connections with families and seeing the real difference we can make during such a pivotal stage of their lives.
Claudia Napoli
ABA Roles
Trainee
Tell us about yourself. I’m Claudia, mum to Alexis (2024). My husband is a farmer so we moved to Hamilton, I love our community because is it not too dissimilar to Broken Hill where I grew up. I like to play squash and love quiz shows, escape rooms, theme parks and arcades, I am just a big kid at heart. In my spare time I love to cook.
Tell us about your breastfeeding journey and any goals. I am still breastfeeding my daughter who is now 18 months old. Initially I navigated establishing supply with a premature baby (including triple feeding) and weaning off nipple shields. My goal was always to feed as long as I could because I wasn’t sure what our journey was going to look like. I am very grateful to still be feeding now and overcoming challenges.
Why are you passionate about breastfeeding? My mum always told me about the importance of breastfeeding, feeding myself and brother until 3 years old. Now having done it myself I am even more passionate and can see first hand the positive benefits that come with breastfeeding. It feels like a superpower. I want to help other mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals and educate more people about breastfeeding who are keen to know more.
What is your motivation to volunteer with ABA? I have always loved being a part of something bigger and the ABA gives me a platform to be a part of a great community with like minded people. The ABA has such wonderful resources that I am proud to share with others to help them in their breastfeeding journey and to help them make informed decisions.
Breastfeeding drop-in
Your questions and concerns about breastfeeding answered by our local breastfeeding counsellors.
Info & Chat
Learn more about breastfeeding and parenting. Speakers can include a breastfeeding educator, health professional or a mum with lived experience.
Cuppa & Chat
Join other mums and find support over a cuppa at a local café or community venue.
Can I still come to local group events if...
Yes! Attending meetings while you're pregnant is a great way to see mums breastfeeding and learn more about it. Many of us nowadays don't have much experience with babies until we have our own, so we need all the help we can get!
You might also like to check out our popular breastfeeding education classes.
Yes! You don't need to be having problems with breastfeeding or anything else to come along and enjoy some interesting conversation and connect with local mums. It’s not just about getting Information and support. Our regular attendees keep coming along because it’s fun to be part of our local group.
Yes! ABA meet-ups are more than a new parents' group. There are babies and children of different ages so you're not competing over who's child reaches the next milestone first/sleeps longest/gains weight fastest. Instead, you get to see children older than yours and know what's ahead for you. Plus you can see how far your baby has come every time a newborn comes along. It really helps to get a broad perspective.
Our local group activities are also more than just a playgroup or a coffee catch up. You get to have a conversation with another adult while your child plays. You also have access to information about raising children and can chat to a breastfeeding counsellor or educator.
Yes, as long as you don't mind seeing others breastfeed. We know that sometimes things don't work out as you’d planned. We have members who are exclusively breastfeeding, pumping and bottle feeding, mixed feeding, and exclusively formula feeding.
Everyone is welcome: no judgement, no competitions, no 'alpha parents'. We're all in this together.
Yes! Mums don't stop needing support once their child is mobile or starts walking!
Yes! ABA Local Group events are open to everyone. We just ask that you ‘sign-in’ using the QR provided to you by the group leader. This will give you access to free, ongoing Introductory ABA membership.
Joining ABA as a financial member provides us with much needed funding to continue to support mums, parents and families in the community.
Can't make it to local group events? ABA Virtual Village is just a click away!
Become an ABA member and get involved with your local group as a volunteer
Details
Calendar
Breast pump hire
Breast pump hire
Our group hires electric breast pumps for you to express milk for your baby. ABA members receive a 50% discount on pump hire. Not a member yet? No problem, it's easy to join and access your discount.
Hiring pumps through ABA
All breast pumps for hire are hospital-grade. They are available for short-term or long-term hire.
Both the Ardo Carum and Ardo Calypso breast pumps are endorsed by the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Ardo is in full compliance with the International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code).
When hiring through your local ABA group you get an initial consultation to work out the best options for you and information on how to maximise your expressed milk and how to store it safely. You can contact your breast pump hire officer for more help along the way if you need it. All funds raised through breast pump hire go towards supporting your local group.
Breast pump hire is run by dedicated volunteer breastfeeding counsellors and educators who provide the service from their homes. As busy mums with work and family commitments, we ask for your understanding if we are unable to respond as promptly as you desire. There are many families wanting to hire pumps so there are often times when all local pumps are already hired out.
Breast pump hire contacts
To check breast pump availability, see the table below or call our breast pump hire officer. If no pumps are available locally check the map for pumps available in nearby groups
| Location | Contact |
| Hamilton and surrounds | Kelly Thomas: 0418 570 150 |
Weekly hire rates
Kelly: 0418 570 150
Milk collection kit
You will also need a milk collection kit to connect to the pump you hire. If you do not already have one, you can buy the kit when you hire a pump. Costs vary from time to time – ask your ABA breast pump hire officer for current prices.
Health measures for pump hiring
Our guidelines for interactions with families and the cleaning of our pumps include:
- the ABA Breast Pump Hiring Officer being well and not having been in contact with anyone who is sick
- options for completing paperwork and payment online
- collecting/returning the breast pump from/to the ABA Breast Pump Hiring Officer’s doorstep
- stringent cleaning of returned pumps (Please note that it is standard practice that all mothers hiring our pumps are required to purchase their own milk collection kit which is available to buy at the time of hiring.)
- getting breastfeeding and pumping support via telephone on the Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268
- accessing information on expressing from our website.