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About Us
Gidget Foundation Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care.
Gidget was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who tragically took her own life while experiencing postnatal depression, a diagnosis that she kept to herself. In her honour, her family and friends created Gidget Foundation Australia, which evokes Gidget’s warmth and lively spirit.
Perinatal depression and anxiety are recognised mental health conditions affecting 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers. They impact around 100,000 Australians each year, with maternal suicide being a leading cause of death amongst expectant and new mothers.
Perinatal depression and anxiety are recognised mental health conditions affecting 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers. They impact around 100,000 Australians each year, with maternal suicide being a leading cause of death amongst expectant and new mothers.
Gidget Foundation Australia promotes awareness, drives advocacy, educates and delivers services to prevent and treat perinatal mental health issues through early detection and intervention.
Gidget's Story
Gidget was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who tragically took her own life while experiencing postnatal depression, a diagnosis that she kept to herself.
Together, her loving family and friends created Gidget Foundation Australia determined that what happened to Gidget would not happen to others. As a teenager, she could often be found sporting a black and white polka dot bikini on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It was here that she was given her nickname Gidget as she looked similar to Sally Field’s character in the 1960s American sitcom, Gidget.
Remembering Gidget
Gidget is remembered as fun, charming, elegant, affable, cheerful, a perfectionist, and ambitious. Her bright personality was matched by her love of colour, in particular red — red shoes, red dresses, red nail polish, red lippy. This is why the Gidget Foundation Australia logo features a flower, a red gerbera. It’s symbolic and a tribute to Gidget.
Gidget left the world too early, though she has left a remarkable legacy. In the words of Gidget’s Mum, Sue Cotton, “Gidget Foundation Australia came into being because of Louise, but it’s not about my little girl anymore. Gidget Foundation Australia is all about the other ‘Gidgets’ and guys out there suffering. Let’s all do whatever we can to get them to start talking.”
Gidget left the world too early, though she has left a remarkable legacy. In the words of Gidget’s Mum, Sue Cotton, “Gidget Foundation Australia came into being because of Louise, but it’s not about my little girl anymore. Gidget Foundation Australia is all about the other ‘Gidgets’ and guys out there suffering. Let’s all do whatever we can to get them to start talking.”
Gidget's family (L to R), Sister, Simone Short, Gidget’s Mum, Sue Cotton and Sister, Jacqui Cotton
The Gidget Gerbera
If you look closely at our logo you will see that this gorgeous red gerbera is in fact flawed; it's imperfect. The petals aren't uniform, they're different lengths and they're a bit wonky.
There are a million representations of a perfect gerbera if you Google them. But our own flawed gerbera expresses warmth, love and beauty, as well as our perfect imperfections. It is, in fact, a splendid red gerbera in full bloom.
