* Sunday 12 May 2024 *

As we mark Mother’s Day, I am reminded of the first touch and the first smile from a mother, the very first expressions of love and safety we experience in this world. These early moments lay a foundation of security, belonging, and unconditional love.

It’s been two years since I’ve transitioned to my new role of still being a mother, but no longer a daughter. This has deepened my understanding that our need for a mother’s comfort transcends age.

And let us also remember that not everyone is lucky enough to have had a positive experience of being mothered; some have recently lost mothers; not everyone can be a mother; some are no longer mothers; some are forced into mothering roles. Mothers’ Day can be very difficult for many people, stirring up a range of emotions, and I would like to acknowledge that some are quietly struggling on this annual celebration of motherhood.

So, we now think about the Vasey RSL Care community: in our working environment (which is still so heavily biased towards female staff) we see the dedication of those who work to protect and nurture life in our community and embody the essence of motherhood in their everyday lives. They are the unsung heroes who balance the demands of their profession with the responsibilities of raising and supporting their families.

I am also inspired by the strong, resilient women among our residents and clients. We have remarkable mothers who are not only tough but tender, warm, caring and loving – just as they always have been. They teach us resilience! They nurture us into independence. They guide us with life’s lessons. We are indeed fortunate to have people to look up to who can help us continue to grow and flourish.

I’d like to honour and celebrate mothers: our caregivers, teachers, guides. We come from different parts of the world, with innumerable traditions, cultures, religions, and beliefs, but what unites us is the universal bond of motherhood. As both a daughter and a mother, I feel and understand the emotions of those who may now live far from their children or mothers. Regardless of whether our loved ones are near, far, or no longer with us, we always feel them right next to us.

Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers out there. Your strength, love, and dedication make the world a better place.

Janna Voloshin,

Chief Executive Officer