News Alert |

After almost 100 floral tributes were left at the Grieving Mother statue on Mothers’ Day last year, the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee will hold a short service at the statue this Mothers’ Day.

The service will be held from 2pm this Sunday 12 May, Mothers’ Day, at the Garden of the Grieving Mother adjacent to the Arch of Victory at the corner of Sturt Street and Learmonth Street and will have women and mothers as its focus.

Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee President, Garry Snowden, said the committee was delighted at the way the Ballarat community engaged with the site last year and was happy to encourage further engagement this year.

“There was no service at the Garden of the Grieving Mother last year but throughout the day people arrived to place a floral tribute and reflect on a special mother or grandmother,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see some beautiful wreaths left there but it was also great to see many children with a small bunch of flowers from their home garden. It’s not what the tribute is that is important, it is what it means to those who left it there.”

 “It won’t be a long or elaborate service, but it will include a couple of poignant readings after which attendees will be welcome to place some flowers at the base of the statue. But just like last year, people are welcome to leave flowers at the statue at any time during the day.”