Seen Again: Contributing Authors
Meet the women behind the stories in Seen Again
Porscia Lam
Melbourne, Victoria
Porscia Lam is a lawyer, storyteller and mother to two young children, including one with special-needs. In 2021, Porscia took an extended career break to navigate intensive early intervention for her young son, an experience she later recounted in her memoir, THE UNLOCKING: AN AUTISM STORY (2025), which earned a Kirkus Star.
Porscia is a member of the Parent Advisory Committee with Autism Australia. She is passionate in speaking about the life-changing potential of compassionate early intervention and the disproportionate impact of raising special-needs children on mothers.
She was a participant at the 2026 Women's Agenda x Medibank Roundtable: The State of Motherhood, and her writing has been featured in Women's Agenda, Musepaper and Onya Magazine.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
Benita's invitation to contribute to Seen Again came at a time when there was a small reprieve in the relentless effort of caring for my autistic son. I was finally reaping the benefits of the hundreds of hours spent in early intervention as I witnessed him willingly and confidently start mainstream school.
For over three years, my sole purpose in life had been to be a fearless advocate for my son. During this time, I had not paused to catch my breath. I had not reflected on what the sacrifice cost to my career, my identity, my sense of connection and ability to participate in the community.
Benita's tap on the shoulder signaled a pivot - it was the first time I took a good look at myself and asked if there were still things I hoped and dreamed of for me.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...remind yourself to look back and look forward. Seeing how far you've come matters and having dreams (even when they are on hold) matter too.
Kate Brow
Bibbenluke, NSW
Kate is a mother to three daughters and is married to a farmer from the Snowy Mountains, NSW.
She is passionate about advocating for the mental health of rural mothers, and has the privilege of working for Motherland, a rural charity working to support isolated rural mums.
In this role she manages the online rural mothers group program - Motherland Village - connecting rural mums from all over Australia to feel less alone.
She is also a humanitarian worker focused on gender equality and monitoring and evaluation.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I am passionate about being authentic and believe that with vulnerability you can create real connections. Opening up about my story has connected me with so many mothers who have experienced similar circumstances.
This has helped me greatly in processing my feelings and made me safe, heard and seen. Knowing that I've also helped point some of those women in the direction of support is another huge reason why I share my story. It is worth the courage it takes to share vulnerability.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...know that you are not alone, so many people feel just how you do right now and are out there wanting to connect.
Moving through struggles in community is a game changer, find your village, seek connection and put yourself out there.
And if you need professional help, don't wait until you're at breaking point, be proactive about your mental health because only you can save yourself.
Ashleigh Birchall
Tasmania
Balancing family life and farm life—because raising kids and livestock builds the best kind of strength
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I was hesitant at first, but I’ve learned that so much of matrescence is about accepting things outside our control.
Saying yes felt like an act of courage—letting myself be seen in the messy, honest parts of motherhood.
Sharing my story meant it didn’t stay hidden or heavy, and adding my voice to this collective reminded me that none of us are doing this alone.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...please know you’re not failing—you’re transforming.
Matrescence is messy, overwhelming, and beautifully human. You’re allowed to feel stretched thin and still be an incredible mum.
Lisa McKelvey
Goondiwindi, Queensland
Lisa McKelvey is a mother of five and wife to Steve, based in Goondiwindi, Queensland.
An enrolled nurse by trade, she is currently embracing a season at home, supporting her family.
In 2021, a life-changing accident left her second eldest son a paraplegic, reshaping her role as a mother.
Lisa now hosts The Long Road podcast, where she shares conversations with Australian families navigating trauma and adversity, offering connection, hope, and support.
She finds joy in tennis, sewing, time with friends, and above all, motherhood—her greatest purpose.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I first thought I’d share my journey of becoming an advocate for my son after his accident, but when I reflected on what it truly means to feel unseen, I was drawn to an earlier chapter—finding the strength to leave my first marriage and reclaim my sense of self.
It felt deeply personal, and as a naturally private writer, there was hesitation. But I felt honoured to be invited.
By sharing, I hope another woman feels less alone and sees that freedom, confidence, and self-worth are possible.
Being part of this collective has been both empowering and healing.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...put a hand on your heart, take a deep breath, and hold your head high. Tell that little girl inside you, “I can do this,” because you are stronger than you realise.
Sarah Churcher
Melbourne, Victoria
I’m Sarah, a mother, photographer, and storyteller based in Melbourne.
My work and my life are deeply intertwined, both shaped by connection, reflection, and a desire to understand what it means to belong—to others and to myself.
Motherhood has been the most transformative experience of my life, gently and sometimes forcefully reshaping who I am.
I’m passionate about creating space for honest conversations, embracing change, and living in a way that feels aligned and true.
I value depth, growth, and the courage it takes to keep becoming.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I said yes because this story felt too important to keep to myself.
There was hesitation—parts of it are deeply personal, shaped by grief, change, and truths that took time to speak aloud. But there was also a quiet knowing that sharing it might help someone else feel less alone in their own unraveling.
Being “seen” feels like allowing all versions of myself to exist without needing to tidy them. If I had kept this story hidden, I think I would have lost a piece of that acceptance.
Adding my voice to this collective feels both vulnerable and deeply affirming.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...you are not lost, you are in the process of finding yourself again.
Bec Smith
South Australia
I am Bec, a mother of three beautiful children.
Alongside my husband, we love where we live, within in a country coastal community, as a farming family.
I enjoy capturing my surroundings and putting words together to make meaning.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I was recovering privately from physical and mental illness through my stages of Matrescence. A year beyond my deepest darkness, our community and farming property was directly burnt with an incredibly forceful fire.
Help arrived for this fire immediately during, stayed for the rebuild and was nearby through recovery. My arms were full, holding my children, as I looked from the outside and saw all that was happening within the impacted grounds.
I saw similarities between my brokeness and the burnt surroundings. The difference was, helpers were available, because the flames and blackened grounds were alarmingly visible. I was afraid of being left in silent pain unnoticed, again.
I started showing up to wellbeing events and listened to the safety advice newly shared within our country towns. This time I reached out and I was recognised as requiring help, too. I promised myself to continue seeking support creatively. I started seeing more with a new perspective.
Nature reclaimed and brightness appeared again, in good time.
It's important for me, to continue surrounding myself with support in creative ways and put myself in the picture, too. My gentle words have been helping me see the beauty and open myself to feeling it too. This is why I am here.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...hold yourself, until you feel your own warmth. Mother Nature can be a beautiful guide, as her seasons change too.
Clare Beeston
Goondiwindi, Queensland
I'm a mother with a journalism and writing background, small business owner, who lives on the land with my husband and toddler daughter, Elle - never where I thought I'd end up.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
There was definite hesitation - it's scary to share the most vulnerable part of yourself with the public.
I chose to share my story because I found so much solace in the stories of others through their experiences of loss, IVF and winding journeys to motherhood - I hoped that our story could be that light for someone else.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...put your shoulder to the wheel and keep going. It is SO worth it.
Sheree Wright
Inverell, NSW
I’m a writer, mentor and mum living in regional Australia with my husband Chris and our tween and two teens.
My work centres on emotional healing and identity, helping women and girls rediscover their worth and live from a place of “enough’ness.”
I find deep joy in creativity and in uncovering the extraordinary within the ordinary rhythms of motherhood and everyday life.
I’m passionate about wholefood and low-tox living, and endlessly fascinated by the body, mind and soul we exist within. I love creating spaces where women feel seen, supported and reminded that growth is often a gentle returning to who we truly are.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
Saying yes to contributing to Seen Again was an easy and immediate decision. I felt deeply honoured when Benita invited me, especially after recently publishing my own book and having walked alongside her both professionally and personally over the years.
To me, being “seen” is the essence of connection -knowing your voice matters and your experience isn’t isolated. Sharing felt important because silence can keep us hidden in the shadows.
Adding my voice to this collective felt powerful and supportive, linking arms with other women to remind mothers everywhere that they are never truly alone.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...pause, breathe deeply, slow down and look around. Know that you are on a beautiful journey of becoming, and nothing you face right now can take away the extraordinary life you were created to live.
You have purpose. You matter.
And it is absolutely okay to ask for help and take time to refill your own cup. When we learn to live and love from overflow, it impacts those around us more than we will ever know. You are worthy of care, grace and rest … and you have always been enough.
Ask yourself "how can I nourish myself right now?"
Amanda Adams
Taroom, Queensland
I am me – I am many things to others around me, but I am me. I have met myself through work with Benita, allowing myself permission to be, say & do things; to create boundaries (even if they constantly move).
I am discovering who I am when I had not actually given any thought to who I was or what I wanted.
There are so many layers of me & I am continually on a path of discovery – each page that is turned is something new to read.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
Not really sure that I can articulate clearly or that I know why. It as a leap of faith doing something I have not done before. If my story can help someone. I feel that while there is the narrative that it takes a village to raise children, somewhere along the line there is a lonely road that a mother travels.
Mothering feels very lonely & connecting with others (especially with children the same age is comforting to know one is not alone & that the kids are behaving “normally”).
Hopefully, if can be something that my kids will be able to use later in life.
Jess Bargenquast
Biggenden, Queensland
Hi, I am Jess a mother of two boys, married and living on our beef cattle property in the Burnett Region in Queensland.
Like many mums we are great at wearing many different hats from day to day and being extraordinary time efficient managers and multi taskers.
I work as a Merchandise Manager Full Time off farm.
I spend most of my time juggling all the hats and never having enough time to take time out and enjoy a quiet moment, thanks to Benita I have been working hard in this space and achieved some incredible goals.
I have spent many years advocating for children with learning difficulties through the catholic education system.
What led you to say yes to sharing your story in Seen Again?
I was shocked who would like to hear my story? But after thinking and taking down pen to the paper, I felt a flood of relief, happiness and gratitude in being able to share a little snippet of my motherhood journey.
I enjoy reading and listening to other peoples journey as it helps me process my own feelings and can see I am not alone.
Finish this sentence: "If you are in the thick of it right now..."
...take a breath, go outside lay on the ground under a shady tree look at the sky and reflect on all you can see, close your eyes enjoy the moment right now.
Everyone has a different hard just take one step at a time, journal and never be afraid to ask for help
Pre-orders Now open
Publication Date 30 June 2026
View our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions here. © Benita Bensch 2026. All Rights Reserved.
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live, work, and create – the Yorta Yorta people. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and honour the deep wisdom, stories, and ongoing connection to Country.