It has been a pillar of support for local mums and dads of multiple babies for several decades.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the Hunter Valley Multiple Birth Association has had to wind up operations after recently celebrating its 40th year of existence.
Hunter Valley Multiple Birth Association secretary Jenny Reid said there were several factors behind the closure, but declining membership in recent years was the main reason.
The association - then known as the Lower Hunter Multiple Birth Club - formed in 1980 to offer support to parents and carers of twins and triplets in the area.
In the year 2000, the name of the club was changed to the Hunter Valley Multiple Birth Association following the amalgamation of the Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter Multiple Birth Clubs.
Ms Reid said it was a great place for parents who were in the same situation to connect and socialise.
"People could bounce ideas off each other," she said. "Whether it was trying to buy a stroller or even schooling - whether they should be in the same class or not.
People could bounce ideas off each other ... It was certainly a community.
- HVMBA secretary Jenny Reid
"It was certainly a community."
The club held regular social outings and emailed a monthly newsletter to members with information about local services, birth and birthday notices and other advice for parents.
An initiative was also introduced about five years ago where new parents even received a free case of nappies upon joining the club.
The club's life member, Margaret Flannery and her husband, William were the first family in the club to become parents of triplets.
Margaret and William have four children including girl/boy triplets who will celebrate their 40th birthday in February.
The Flannery family hosted the club's annual Christmas party for many years at their Dungog home.
In addition to being club president, Margaret has held several committee positions on the NSW State Board of the Australian Multiple Birth Association.
To mark the club's 40th year and club closure, a family picnic including miniature train rides was recently held at Walka Water Works.