Supporting Hunter Region families with twins, triplets and more since 1969
One of Australia’s oldest multiple birth clubs — over 55 years supporting local families.
Every service is delivered by volunteer parents who have lived experience with multiples.
A founding member club of the Australian Multiple Birth Association.
ACNC registered charity proudly serving Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Newcastle Multiple Birth Club Inc. (NMBC) is a volunteer-run, registered charity offering support to parents of twins, triplets or more, and to those expecting a multiple birth. We provide friendship, advice, and practical information on raising multiples — from the perspective of parents who have lived it.
All parents of multiple births — biological, adoptive, expectant, and bereaved — are eligible for membership.
To celebrate with families the joys of raising multiples through community, education and support.
To relieve distress, hardship and/or social isolation and support the unique challenges experienced by multiple birth families.
To provide means of exchanging information and offering mutual support on the care and raising of multiple birth children.
To offer community events, information sessions, volunteer opportunities and resources to encourage the ongoing development of multiple birth children and their families.
NMBC was founded in 1969 by Lyndy Booth OAM, inspired by the National Organisation of Mothers of Twins Clubs in the USA. After connecting with the US organisation, Lyndy arranged a gathering through the Newcastle Sun — 17 mothers of twins came forward as founding members, making NMBC one of Australia’s first multiple birth clubs.
In 2019 NMBC celebrated its 50th anniversary, having grown from those 17 original members into a thriving community supporting hundreds of local families every year.
A tribute to the strength and wisdom of our past presidents — parents of multiples who dedicated their time to building a club that has continued to prosper through their leadership.
| Term | President |
|---|---|
| 09/1969 – 08/1970 | Lyndy Booth OAM |
| 08/1970 – 08/1972 | Mona Hopwood |
| 08/1972 – 08/1974 | Jeanette Muxlow |
| 08/1974 – 08/1976 | Rae Arch (Reid) |
| 08/1976 – 08/1978 | Pauline Lawlor |
| 08/1978 – 08/1980 | Marvia Sorenson (Thompson) |
| 08/1980 – 08/1982 | Denise White |
| 08/1982 – 08/1984 | Iris Hughes |
| 08/1984 – 08/1987 | Norma Haywood |
| 08/1987 – 08/1988 | Sandra Nix |
| 08/1988 – 08/1990 | Susanna Thompson |
| 08/1990 – 08/1993 | Judy Collins |
| 08/1993 – 08/1995 | Vicki Courtney |
| 08/1995 – 08/1996 | Sur McDonald |
| 08/1996 – 08/1998 | Jacqui Sauer |
| 08/1998 – 12/1999 | Karen Purcell |
| 12/1999 – 08/2000 | Sue Palmer |
| 08/2000 – 08/2002 | Karen Lobb |
| 08/2002 – 08/2004 | Cindy Shaw |
| 08/2004 – 08/2005 | Jacqui Sauer |
| 08/2005 – 08/2008 | Liz Young |
| 08/2008 – 08/2011 | Donna Shields |
| 08/2011 – 08/2012 | Holly Carpenter |
| 08/2012 – 08/2013 | Donna Shields |
| 08/2013 – 08/2015 | Vikki Odgers |
| 08/2015 – 08/2017 | Donna Shields |
| 08/2017 – 01/2020 | Alecia Moller |
| 01/2020 – 08/2020 | Rachel Leonard |
| 08/2020 – 08/2024 | Sarah Mason |
| 08/2024 – 2026 | Renee Metcalfe-Hood |
| Name | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Dr. Lyndal Harborne | MBBS RANZCOG |
| Dr. Oliver Brown | MRCOG FRANZCOG |
| Dr. Raouf Farag | Consultant Obstet & Gyn, I.V.F. Australia Infertility Specialist — MB, B.Ch., A.M.C.C., F.R.A.N.Z.C.O.G. |
| Name | Date Awarded |
|---|---|
| Lyndy Booth OAM | 13/08/1973 |
| Rae Arch (Reid) | 30/06/1975 |
| Pauline Lawlor | 02/12/1985 |
| Jan Ball | 05/12/1988 |
| Judy Collins | 06/12/1993 |
| Susanne Thompson | 02/08/1996 |
| Norma Haywood | 07/12/1998 |
| Rosalie Osland | 18/09/1999 |
| Jacqui Sauer | 07/02/2005 |
| Liz Young | 22/08/2010 |
| Donna Shields | 07/09/2017 |