Mother's Day

Mother's Day History

Mother's Day is dedicated to honouring the bond between mothers, grandmothers, or any motherly figure, and their children. This day acknowledges the love, care, and sacrifices that women make for their families and society, as well as the essential role they play in nurturing for the wellbeing of their children. A special tribute to the maternal figures in people's lives, Mother's Day provides an opportunity for people to express their gratitude, shower them with gifts, and create precious memories.

The origin of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient cultures, who honoured motherhood as a sacred and vital aspect of society. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that Mother's Day became a widespread annual tradition. In Australia, Mother's Day gained prominence in the 1920s thanks to the efforts of Janet Heyden, a Sydney woman who sought to provide support and gifts to lonely, forgotten mothers living in Newington State Hospital. Her charitable work and advocacy led the Mother's Day movement to be embraced across Australia - now, Australians continue this meaningful custom by cherishing the special maternal bonds in their lives.

Mothers Day is not a public holiday, but is a widely-recognised event marked by an outpouring of appreciation and love. Australians celebrate Mother's Day by pampering their mothers with breakfast in bed, heartfelt messages, quality time, and meaningful gifts that symbolise the love they hold for their mother figures. Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May every year.

Mother's Day facts

• Julia Ward Howe, the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, came up with the notion of a Mother's Day in 1870. In a proclamation, she urged mothers to take a stand against sons killing the sons of other mothers.
• In the animal kingdom, Orangutan moms are the "primate champion" of motherhood, having the longest dependent care period among great apes, with their offspring weaning off at about 6 to 7 years old.
• Australian mothers have one of the highest workforce participation rates in the world. As of 2020, about 72% of Australian mothers with dependent children were in paid employment, which has increased dramatically over the past few decades.
• About 10% of family households with dependent children in Australia are headed by a single mother. These families are more likely to experience financial challenges and lower levels of employment compared to families with two parents.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Mother's Day

Top things to do in Australia for Mother's Day

• Send mom and grandma flowers. You can either pick them up and deliver them yourself if you are nearby or use one of many online services that ship directly to her door.
• Give mom a gift she will really appreciate - a day at the spa or a weekend off.
• Check out The Westin hotel located in Perth. The Westin offers a special Mother's Day brunch event, which includes a selection of hot and cold dishes, as well as a glass of champagne.
• Visit the Stamford Plaza Hotel, located in the central business district in Brisbane. The hotel offers a special Mother's Day high tea event, which includes a selection of sweet and savory treats, as well as a glass of sparkling wine.