Katie Cummins and Olivia Lovell delivered a heartfelt presentations at the Aim Breakfast on May 22
What began as a simple idea more than a decade ago continues to grow into one of Yarrawonga’s most uplifting gatherings for women, bringing together inspiration, connection and community spirit.
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AIM, standing for Acknowledge, Inspire and Mingle, was created to celebrate the incredible contributions women make across the region while providing a welcoming space to connect, share stories and support one another.
Co-founder Libby Dowling said the concept was built around purpose.
“We wanted to acknowledge what women do in our community, inspire each other through the stories people share, and create opportunities to mingle, because sometimes making those connections can be difficult,” she said.
Held at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club, AIM hosts four breakfast gatherings each year, bringing together between 80 and 100 women from all walks of life, with attendees travelling from Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Corowa, Jerilderie, Cobram and beyond.
May’s AIM breakfast was especially powerful, with two courageous local women sharing deeply personal stories of hardship, resilience and hope.
Yarrawonga nurse Olivia Lovell delivered a heartfelt presentation, A Nurse’s Story of Love, Loss and Community.
Olivia Lovell, Nurse Unit Manager at Yarrawonga Health, shared her journey raising her son Archie, who was born at 35 weeks weighing just 1.8 kilograms, before being rushed to NICU and later diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
Olivia Lovell delivered a heartfelt presentation at the breakfast on Friday about her journey raising her son Archie.
“In that moment, I genuinely believed my perfect boy, my perfect life and my perfect family had disappeared,” she said.
She also recalled the frightening moment Archie turned blue at a football match and was airlifted to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
“For the first time, I felt like I could finally begin trying to be his mum.”
Now three years old, Archie is thriving, with Olivia crediting the strength and acceptance of the Yarrawonga community.
“To them, he’s just Archie.”
Her message was simple but powerful.
“Be willing to share your story, because the worst torture in hardship is believing you have to survive it alone.”
The second speaker, Katie Cummins, shared an equally moving presentation, How One Mother’s Fight for Her Daughter Changed Lives Across the Region.
Katie spoke about knowing something wasn’t right with her daughter, Isabella, despite being repeatedly told, “Some kids just vomit”.
Her instincts proved right when Isabella was rushed to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital with a massive brain tumour.
Following emergency surgery and bacterial meningitis, Isabella woke up unable to walk and suffering severe panic attacks.
Katie later discovered her daughter had an acquired brain injury.
Pregnant with her fourth child and facing enormous emotional and financial challenges, Katie spent close to $100,000 in the first year on therapies.
Katie Cummins shared an equally moving presentation about her daughter Isabella.
Wanting to help other families navigating similar struggles, she eventually co-founded local behaviour support practice Momentum 360, which now supports 140 participants with 10 local practitioners.
Despite the challenges, Isabella is now thriving.
Her message of perseverance deeply resonated.
“When something feels impossible, add the word yet. That’s really what got me through,” Katie said.
Over the past decade, AIM has welcomed well over 1,000 women through its doors, continuing to celebrate, support and uplift women across Yarrawonga, Mulwala and surrounding communities.
For many, AIM is far more than a breakfast gathering. It is a place where honesty is shared, resilience is celebrated, and women leave feeling stronger, connected and inspired.
The next AIM breakfast is scheduled for August 28, 2026.
