Service to honour a mother’s love

A SPECIAL, solemn community Mother’s Day tradition will return to Alfredton this month.

The annual Mother’s Day morning service will be held at the Garden of the Grieving Mother, beside the Arch of Victory, at 11am on Sunday, 14 May.

Hosted by the Arch of Victory-Avenue of Honour committee, the short event is held around the Grieving Mother sculpture to not just commemorate all mums and special women who are missed, but to recognise all those who loved and lost their children in wartime conflicts.

Committee president Garry Snowden said the group is inviting all members of the community to attend the service, and if they choose to, lay a floral tribute.

“While it is important that we remember the hardships and sacrifice of our service men and women, we think it is also important to reflect on the hardship, anxiety and grief experienced by the families at home, particularly the mothers,” Mr Snowden said.

“Our Mother’s Day service is not a military style commemoration, but it will tell the story of one Ballarat wartime grieving mother.

“It is also about reflecting on the difficulties and challenges faced by mothers at other times. I invite and encourage people to visit the site and leave a tribute to a special mother.

“The tribute doesn’t need to be an expensive wreath. Maybe something made by the children or grandchildren, or a bunch of flowers from a home garden.

“It’s not what it is, but what it stands for that is most important. I’d love to see the base of the statue covered with flowers.

“It seems that a visit to the Grieving Mother statue is becoming a Mother’s Day tradition in Ballarat, which is very gratifying to observe.”