Falling on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day celebrates and honours mums, motherhood and the influence of mothers in society. This week “CityNews” speaks with businesses who are passionate about recognising all that mums do.

The day continues to be celebrated every year, and to honour mums and mother figures in the region, this week “CityNews” speaks with businesses who are passionate about recognising all that mums do.

Champagne breakfast for animal-loving mums

The National Zoo and Aquarium loves celebrating mums, says admin and tourism projects manager Chara Reynolds, and with Mother’s Day being so close to the birth of the new zebra foal, the zoo is hosting some special events that celebrate all types of motherhood.

“We will be hosting a Mother’s Day Champagne Breakfast at our Rhino Bistro on Sunday May 12,” says Chara.

“Guests are welcome to access the zoo early, with breakfast starting from 7.30am, running to 9am. 

“Each adult will have a welcome glass of champagne on arrival, before enjoying the buffet breakfast.”

Bookings for the champagne breakfast can be made on the zoo website and all-day entry to the zoo is included in the ticket price. Chara says there will be some very special enrichment activities held afterwards with the mums of the zoo. 

These enrichment sessions will include information about how the zoo is helping grow insurance populations of endangered species through their breeding programs.

“It’s a lovely weekend activity to do, especially now that school holidays are over and the zoo is a bit quieter,” says Chara.

National Zoo and Aquarium, Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla. Call 6287 8400 or visit nationalzoo.com.au

Mother’s Day high tea that gives back

Pegasus is a centre of excellence in riding for the disabled, and for Mother’s Day Pegasus is inviting Canberrans to a high tea lunch on May 11, says fundraising and event co-ordinator Jo Kennedy.

She says the Pegasus High Tea will go from 1pm-4pm, and includes bottomless pink bubbles, bountiful high tea and a special gift for each guest. 

“We haven’t done anything like this before, and we wanted to host an event at Pegasus because that way people can come and see all the Pegasus ponies that we have,” she says.

“Annually we have a race day and a golf day, but this is the first time we’ve done something centred on Mother’s Day.”

Podcasters Ned and Josh will MC the event, says Jo, and will be doing some fun interviews with Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry and Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee.

“We’ve also got some entertainment from the comedian Jeffrey Charles,” she says. 

Jo says it will be an afternoon of great fun and great entertainment, and attendees can feel good about giving back to a community-based charity at the same time, Jo says.

But, there is a limited availability for tickets, so Jo says to book in fast.

Pegasus ACT, 119 Drake Brockman Drive, Holt. Call 6254 9190, or visit pegasusact.com.au

Family attraction that loves to celebrate mums

Mark Sarah, co-director of Cockington Green Gardens, says that as a family business, special days such as Mother’s Day provide a perfect opportunity to help families celebrate together.

This year, on Mother’s Day, May 12, Cockington Green Gardens is celebrating all mothers with a “Buy one – get Mum in for free” promotion, he says. 

By purchasing one general admission ticket, Mum will be admitted free, says Mark.

“Mums are the most special people in the world. We’re all here because of them and that’s why Mother’s Day is such a special day,” says Mark.

“My mum, Brenda Sarah, was alongside dad in creating Cockington Green Gardens. She was adamant that the attraction would be something families could enjoy together. 

“Mum’s mother, Marjorie Rose, was involved with the business, so Mother’s Day has always been important to her.”

Mark, who has worked in the business since it opened in 1979, says it is incredible how many conversations he has had with mums who are now bringing their children to the attraction after being brought here by their mothers many years ago.

Cockington Green Gardens, 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls. Call 6230 2273 or visit cockingtongreeen.com.au

Mother’s Day memories made to last

Pinot and Picasso is a ‘paint and sip’ experience that is sure to leave all customers with fond memories, says Pinot and Picasso Belconnen manager Melissa Boarer.

Pinot and Picasso Belconnen provides a creative experience that also creates a sense of connection, as it is an activity that is done with other people, says Melissa.

“It’s something that is not only a fun experience, it’s a really good memory,” she says. 

It’s easy to forget all the Mother’s Day lunches, but with Pinot and Picasso, customers get a physical keepsake that can be put up in the kitchen, or displayed on the wall, Melissa says. 

“Everytime they look at that, they’re going to think about the time that they spent with their mum, and the memories that come with that,” she says. 

“We’re offering four artworks that we aren’t doing any other time, these are specific Mother’s Day sessions. 

“One is a collaboration artwork, which is for younger kids, so mum and child get to paint on the same canvas and create an artwork together which is something we’ve never done before.”

Melissa says other sessions include painting porcelain jugs, or a flower-inspired vase, as well as the canvas painting sessions. 

Mother’s Day sessions at Pinot and Picasso Belconnen will also include a game of musical bingo, says Melissa, with prizes to be won. 

Melissa says classes will run for the entire weekend, May 11-12.

Pinot and Picasso Belconnen, Shop 6, 54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen. Call 0438 686865 or visit pinotandpicasso.com.au/belconnen

Lollies to share between generations

Lolly Swagman has been excitedly exploring new tastes for nearly three decades, says owner Ian Richardson.

Located in the heart of the Southern Highlands, the lolly shop stocks all-time favourite treats and the latest trending tastes from around the world.

“We’ve got American Reese’s, Hershey’s and candy corn, English bon bons and chocolates, sours and super sours, Dutch liquorice, Scottish tablet and our own Mrs Swag’s Fudge,” says Ian.

“We lost count at 1300 different treats and we know it’s more than that.”

Ian says the store is a common stop on people’s trip to Berrima.

“It’s a happy place with kids excitedly exploring for new tastes, older people reminiscing and sharing in the thrill of finding a favourite and the great stories that go with them,” he says.

“We often see people who’d come as children now bringing in their own children and sharing their experiences, which is lovely to be allowed to join in on. It’s nice to have that history.”

Lolly Swagman, 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. Call 4877 1137, or visit lollyswagman.com.au

A musical theatre show that’s ‘breaking the mould’

Brad McDowell, director of American Idiot, says this latest Queanbeyan Players production is the perfect gift for nostalgic mums this Mother’s Day.

“It’s based on the music of two of Green Day’s albums,” says Brad.

“This year actually marks the 20-year anniversary of the American Idiot album.

“People that were teenagers in the early 2000s really really resonated with this album and that music was so prevalent at the time that I think people in that age range are really going to appreciate the show.” 

Brad says the Queanbeyan Players are mostly known for their performances of classics, such as Oklahoma and HMS Pinafore, and that American Idiot is “breaking the mould a bit”. 

Brad says mixing the Queanbeyan Players’ musical theatre regulars alongside some “punk rock Green Day fans that wouldn’t normally come out and see musicals” will make the show exciting.

American Idiot runs June 20-29, and tickets are on sale now.

Queanbeyan Players, 18 Barrow Place, Queanbeyan East. Call 0402 353443 or visit queanbeyanplayers.com/american-idiot

Art, music and giftware, Belco Arts has it all

Nestled on the shores of Lake Ginninderra, Belconnen Arts Centre opened in 2009 as a place to conceive ideas, undertake creative journeys, share stories, experiment, be bold and make memories, says acting marketing manager, Kelly Thorburn. 

“It houses several exquisite galleries, black box theatre, rehearsal space and workshops and supports a wide range of artists in following their ambitions and taking their work to the next level,” she says. 

“Belco Arts prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming community arts organisation with an artistic program that reflects the community’s rich diversity back to itself.” 

She says the Belco Arts team are passionate about fuelling a love of and engagement in the arts, and connecting with Canberra’s residents through dance, music, visual arts, theatre and more.

Their current Autumn Gift Guide features high-end prints, ceramics, glassworks, jewellery, scarves and textiles, greeting cards and more, says Kelly, giving the opportunity to make a lasting impression by choosing a high quality Australian-made gift this Mother’s Day.

Belco Arts also has numerous exhibitions on show until May 19, says Kelly, a great opportunity to make memories with your mum.

For the music lovers, Kelly says they also have upcoming gigs, including Shortis and Simpson with Fred Smith on May 4 at 7pm, Spanish Flamenco guitarist Paco Lara on June 15 at 7pm, presented in partnership with Smith’s Alternative and Live Music Australia, and Halftime Show with CLUBSCORE on May 17 and June 21. 

Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen. Call 6173 3300 or visit belcoarts.com.au

Plenty of gifts that say, ‘thank you’

“Being a mum is the hardest job in the world, but it’s the best job in the world,’’ says South Pacific Hemp manager Sue Booth.

“At South Pacific Hemp we have plenty of gifts to say ‘thank you, mum’, from a collection of hemp foods and hemp seed oils to gorgeous balms and skin creams, babycare, homewares, bags and accessories, fabrics, pet products and more.”

Opened in March 2021, Sue says the store is Canberra’s first all-hemp shop and includes a range of specially designed clothing that mum will love.

“Our clothing is designed for wearability and versatility, is breathable, natural and easy to care for,” she says.

“Hemp protects your skin by naturally filtering UV light. It also resists bacterial growth and breathes excellently, preventing odours, has four times the strength of cotton and it won’t weaken when washed.”

Sue says the dedicated team welcomes anyone to come and ask about the range of products.

“There’s tea towels, totes, sponges and cookie cutters and for the body, there’s shampoos, oils, bath salts and divine creams and much more,” she says.

South Pacific Hemp, 84 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0431 318898, or visit southpacifichemp.com.au

Joy of books brings people together, says Peter

Books make a great Mother’s Day gift because they are personal and a physical, tangible thing, says Book Cow bookshop owner Peter Arnaudo. 

“Books are a great way of getting into someone else’s experiences and their imagination,” he says. 

“You can watch a TV program, but you’re watching an interpretation of someone’s experiences, with a book, you are reading their words that they’ve put down.”

Peter urged gift buyers to think outside the box of classic cookbook gifts this Mother’s Day, with one of the most popular genres sold over the weekend to mums being crime.

He says they also have beautiful children’s picture books that make a great gift to be shared between mums and their children.  

“Books you can either devour them all by yourself, tucked away in a cosy corner and just read away, or you can actually share them with other people too, so that’s the great thing about it,” says Peter.

“A lot of people buy books that mums can read to their kids, and also grandmums, aunts as well, any female figure.

“The joy of books, it’s really something that connects people and brings people together.

“That connection is something that I think if you could bottle it, it would be quite amazing.”

The Book Cow, 47 Jardine Street, Kingston. Call 5100 2730 or visit bookcow.com.au

Budding gifts with mum in mind

Blossoms of Canberra has been in business for six years, says owner Tania Garrett. 

Originally, Tania says they started out in Chisolm before moving to Erindale, where they have been for the past three years.

“Flowers are always a good thing,” Tania says, and with Mother’s Day coming up, she recommends everyone to get their orders in quickly. 

“Flowers convey a message, through emotions, and I just love what I do… putting a smile on someone’s face.”

Blossoms of Canberra has a range of dedicated Mother’s Day gifts, but Tania says they also have their usual giftware items such as candles, diffusers, chocolates and balloons. 

Blossoms of Canberra can help customers find flowers for any occasion, not just Mother’s Day, says Tania. 

“Flowers are something you don’t buy yourself, so it does have that uplifting feeling,” she says 

“I just love what I do and it’s different every day.” 

Blossoms of Canberra, Shop 24, Erindale Shopping Centre, 68 Comrie Street, Wanniassa. Call 6231 0822 or visit blossomsofcanberra.com.au