Monday Milestone: Mothers Day

"Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children"
– Sam Levenson

This Week in History:
1924, Mothers Day
Mrs Janet Hayden begins the tradition of Mothers Day in Australia.

Across Australia, and indeed across many parts of the western world, it’s a familiar Saturday morning. It certainly was in my house, that early morning weekend routine. Get the kids up, breakfast, dressed, make sure they have everything. Get them out the door….

How often have we heard sports stars time and again in acceptance speeches give praise to their parents for such tireless efforts?  Irrespsective of what we achieve in life, we all have the same underlying fact. At some stage we have a mother. So here at the Milestone, for something a little different, in a tribute to Mums across the country yesterday, we take a look at the beginning of Mothers Day in Australia.

The tradition of giving gifts for Mothers Day began in 1924, when Janet Hayden, who, a picture of compassion, is believed to have visited patients at the Newington Home for Aged Women, and realised just how many lonely and forgotten mothers there were. Rallying support from schools and local businesses, the following year, Mrs Hayden organised donations to these women for simply being recognised as mothers.  As the years progressed, more and more children and businesses lent their support to the movement. A tradition had begun.

And through the years, Mothers Day has become a firm part of the calendar. The second Sunday in May is devoted to mothers across the country, and indeed across the world. And it’s only when digging a little deeper do we discover the roles that mothers play throughout world sport today. Of course sporting heroes have mothers too. Yes, they are indeed human beings, and all start somewhere. 

Oracene Price, the mother of Venus and Serena Williams doesn’t miss a match. Her biggest problem often being which sister to barrack for in a Grand Slam Final. Bridgette Warne prescribed to her son perhaps the most controversial diuretic tablet in world cricket in 2003. Australian leg spin bowler Shane Warne confirmed that the tablet was given to him by his mother. Warne was subsequently banned for a year. Bridgette remains among his most staunch supporters.

Then there are the cases when athletes themselves balance motherhood while climbing the dizzying heights of world sport. Who could forget Nova Perris-Kneebone winning gold with the Hockeyroos at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with six-year old Jessica watching on?  Or Kim Clijsters proving that motherhood only enhances her playing career. The Belgian mum won two Grand Slams before giving birth to Jada Elle. She has won another three since returning.

It’s undeniable that mothers play some of the most important roles in so many sporting lives, irrespective of whether the child goes on to the world sporting stage or not. Whether it’s the early morning weekend routines or balancing motherhood themselves, it’s a remarkable achievement. And thanks to Mrs Hayden in 1924, Australian mothers have their own day, and here at the Milestone we couldn’t endorse it more.

So to my own Mum, and to mothers everywhere – we say thank you.

For everything.

 

Milestone Five: Mother involvement in world sport

5.  Last year Devonta Pollard, an American highschool basketball player, already being courted by college giants, was pulled off the court from his overzealous mother Jessie who decided he was making too many mistakes in front of Kentucky, Duke and Georgetown scouts. Ouch.

4.  In 2009 Vikki Harber, the mother of Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson forced  him to choose between her and his then-girlfriend, now wife Jessica Bratich. He chose his wife. But the strain of the situation has meant he has never recaptured is form.

3.  Barbara Elias following the opening match of the 1992 State of Origin ran to fuss over son Benny Elias who had attained a nasty head gash that was bleeding profusely.

2.  Bridgette Warne is the mother responsible for giving Australian bowler and son Shane Warne a diuretic tablet to help him look slimmer TV. Warne was banned for a year.

1. Oracene Price, best known as the mother of Serena and Venus Williams must be the most controversial mother on the world stage, who through social media has let her thoughts be known on many subjects. Including fellow mother Kim Clijsters.