Mother’s Day: Junee mums showered with love, laughter and tea

MORE than 160 mothers and grandmothers filled the hall at St Joseph’s Primary School on Friday afternoon, as generations of local families came together for one of Junee’s most cherished Mother’s Day traditions.

The school’s annual Mother’s Day High Tea celebrates the mothers, grandmothers and special women who play such an important role in the lives of students and the wider community.

Now firmly established as a staple on the local calendar, the event has continued to grow since it was first held in 2017.

This year’s gathering brought together daughters, sons, mothers and grandmothers for a heartfelt afternoon of gratitude, recognising the love, care and quiet sacrifices of the women who help shape families and community life.

The hall was filled with hugs, laughter, music and plenty of treats, while tables lined with vintage plates, tea cups, saucers and teapots helped create a warm and elegant high tea atmosphere.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Guests were treated to an impressive spread of homemade cakes, sandwiches, slices, sweets and baked treats, all prepared with care by the school’s Stage 1 families, whose efforts helped make the afternoon another huge success.

And of course, there was tea — plenty of tea.

After enjoying the high tea, mothers and grandmothers were serenaded by performances from the school’s students, with the children proudly singing and performing for the special women in their lives.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Each year group offered its own tribute, opening with a colourful Rainbow performance from Junior Joeys, followed by a heartfelt rendition of Forever Young from Years 5 and 6.

Kindergarten then won over the room with a sweet performance of the much-loved children’s song Skinnamarink (I Love You).

Year 1 shared a special blessing for mothers, before Year 2 added a playful newsroom twist with a “breaking news” report on the Mother’s Day celebrations.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Years 3 and 4 brought the performances to a touching close with a moving recitation of Letter to My Mother.

For many in attendance, Friday’s high tea was about more than tea and treats. It was about tradition, family and generations coming together.

Louise Stapleton and Shirley Eggleton marked their fifth year attending St Joseph’s Mother’s Day High Tea, sharing the afternoon with family across generations | Photo: Supplied

Junee grandmother and great-grandmother Louise Stapleton and Shirley Eggleton were among the many guests, attending the much-loved event for the fifth consecutive year alongside their daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

With Louise’s four grandchildren now attending St Joseph’s, the annual celebration has become a treasured family tradition.

“It’s an event I look forward to every year with my mum, my two daughters and my grandchildren,” Louise said.

“There’s something really special about seeing so many generations in one room.

“It’s a beautiful way to celebrate mothers, grandmothers and the important women in the children’s lives, and as a mum and grandmother myself, it’s lovely to be able to share those moments.”

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The afternoon also featured guest speaker Dr Carla Flynn, who shared reflections drawn from own experiences as a mother and her work supporting women and families.

St Joseph’s Primary School also thanked local businesses Junee Newsagency, Junee Capital Chemist and Railway Café and Emporium for their support and donations toward the event.

“St Joseph’s has created a really lovely tradition. It’s something we always enjoy, and you can see how much it means to the children to have their families there,” Louise said.

As the afternoon drew to a close, the room was filled with smiles, conversations and family photos, a simple but powerful reminder of the role mothers and grandmothers continue to play at the heart of community life.