Hello beautiful mamas! My name is Aleks, and I’m a mum of four living in Maroubra. Originally from Sydney’s west, I grew up in Cabramatta as an only child. Fast forward to today, and I feel incredibly blessed to have four amazing children. I have a law degree and worked in several law firms, as well as in fashion retail, makeup, skincare, and even modeling before becoming a mum.
Now, I manage the admin side of our family business, a role that’s both rewarding and fulfilling. Over the past two years, I’ve been on a health and wellness journey that inspired me to enroll in a Pilates course with Fluidform, and I can’t wait to share my love for exercise with other women and mamas.
One of my current passions is VillageHer, a community group for women and mothers that I co-founded with fellow mum and friend. Although we’re still in the early stages, it’s been amazing to see the positive response from women joining our walks. It’s such a joy to bring women from all walks of life together for meaningful conversations and to carve out quality time for themselves.
Where and how long have you lived in Sydney’s east?
We’ve lived in the eastern suburbs for 15 years, and we’ve been in Maroubra for almost three years now. We absolutely love it here.
Three words that describe what it’s like to live in the eastern suburbs?
Vibrant, friendly, coastal. I feel so grateful to call this area home—it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.
How many children?
I have a 15-year-old son, Marko, and three daughters: Lara (13), Ana (10), and Kaia (6).
Favourite park?
Centennial Park is a favorite for our whole family. We’ve been visiting for years, and it has something for everyone: wild play, the playground, bike rides, pony parties, picnics, and even playdates by the lakes. Tuff Nutterz (the inflatable park) was a huge hit with the kids during the school holidays.
Sydney Park is another great spot with a bike and scooter track, a fantastic playground, and a lovely café.
Favourite beach?
It’s hard to choose, but we frequent Maroubra, Coogee and Bondi.
Favourite kid-friendly cafe?
As my kids are older now, we can pretty much eat anywhere, but we’ve always found the local cafes to be welcoming to families. Some favourites include Coogee Pavilion, Barzura and The Grounds in Alexandria.
Favourite coffee spot?
I haven’t had coffee in over a year, as I’ve converted to matcha. My top spots for matcha are Tuga in Clovelly and Coogee Espresso (both serve ceremonial-grade matcha). My husband still enjoys his coffee at these spots, as well as at Gusto and Ekscentrik in Coogee and Maroubra.
Favourite date night place?
My husband and I recently had dinner at Table Manners in Bronte, and I highly recommend it—great food, vibe, and service. Bar Milano is another local favorite, and of course, Icebergs in Bondi is always a winner for a memorable night out.
Where in the east have you yet to explore and would like to go?
I’ve been wanting to check out the Woollahra Library and revisit Nielsen Park, which we used to go to often when the kids were younger. We haven’t been back since the upgrade, and I’m excited to explore it again.
What would you like to see improve in the eastern suburbs?
Parking can be a challenge, especially around schools. It would be great to see more options or better traffic management in busy areas.
Favourite local shop?
Bondi (beach and the junction) are my go to for shopping for events and gifts- too hard to name one favourite there! Cosmopolitan Shoes in Double Bay and the newly upgraded fashion precinct in Rosebery is also fantastic.
Favourite wet-weather location?
We have a range of indoor spots for all ages. The movies (Eastgardens or Bondi), Vitaland in Alexandria, indoor basketball courts at Heffron, and Holy Moly are always fun. On rainy days, we also enjoy being at home—playing teachers with the girls, watching movies, or having family UNO games.
Favourite local family weekend activity?
We love spending time at the beach! My son is an avid fisherman, so we often head out to various fishing spots in the east and beyond. The new jetty at La Perouse has been a hit—it’s close to a playground for the younger kids and the Boatshed for a meal.
Coming from a Balkan/Slavic background, food is at the heart of our family. We often eat together, whether at home or out, and it’s a wonderful way for us to connect and engage in long conversations.
Work or SAHM?
I’ve worked from home for the past 15 years, managing our family business. Now that my kids are in school, I’m excited to pursue my passion for health and wellness. I’m looking forward to completing my Pilates course this year.
Launching VillageHer alongside my dear friend Morgan has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s such a rewarding way to connect with other mums and women, supporting them as they build meaningful relationships and create their own communities.
Motherly advice?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to do everything. Simply loving and looking after your family is the most important job, and you’re already doing an amazing job. Have patience and remember that time flies, so embrace the ups and downs.
If there’s one thing I’d recommend, it’s spending quality time with your kids. Talk with them, and don’t stress about attending every party or filling every moment with activities.
Be kind to yourself and make time for yourself, even if it’s just 20 minutes for a walk or a quick guided meditation. Try that class you’ve been meaning to attend—call a fellow mama to join you! I’m sure she’d be keen!
Thank you.
Aleks
Instagram: @yomamasydney
Co-Founder of women’s group: @village_her
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