WE all know that Mother’s Day in Australia is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month in May, but how much do you know about the origin of this very special tradition?
Following the unimaginable loss and devastation of World War One, Sydney resident, Janet Heyden took to visiting elderly mothers, who had lost husbands and sons in the Great War, in hospital.
Inspired to have these women recognised for all that they had given and tragically lost; Janet placed advertisements in Syndey newspapers calling on the city to both honour and remember these women with a little something personal and special.
Responding with an abundance of soaps, lollies, hairpins, scarves and the like, people from all around the capital donated little gifts, culminating in 850 women receiving a present on Australia’s first Mother’s Day in Sydney in 1924.
Energised by the success of her Mother’s Day venture, Janet extended her talents to also proclaim the very first Father’s Day on the second Sunday of June, in 1924.
Continuing her charitable work for another seven years, Janet worked to firmly establish the tradition of Mother’s Day in Australia, where it eventually became the commercial, as well as heartfelt, tradition that it is today.
