a day of thanks

We ask four celebrities how they celebrate Mother’s Day, with mum or as a mum

WORDS MARGRET MEAGHER

Fashion designer, budding television personality and charity supporter, Samantha Wills’ couture accessories collection now includes jewellery, bags and belts and is worn by US celebrities such as Nicky Hilton and Nicole Richie.

Last year, Wills launched a collection called “Enjoy the Journey” – inspired by photographs of her parents taken before she was born. “I used images of my mum from the ’70s to inspire my designs. I love her style, she’s my muse.

“When I was developing the collection, I realised I had only seen that part of their lives where I was involved. I had never understood their journey up ’til that time – where they had travelled, how they met and fell in love, their own youthful passions and hopes. It became the inspiration for this collection.

Little Samantha Wills and
mum“Growing up on the north coast of New South Wales, Mother’s Day has always been a special time in our family. And now that I’ve moved to Sydney and am travelling so much, it’s even more important to get together when we can.

“I love to spoil my mum, especially on Mother’s Day. Mum has supported me through thick and thin, through broken hearts and celebrations. Mum has been there every step of the way.”

In her new additional guise as a television personality, Wills is currently in talks to appear on Oprah and locally she has been working with TitoTV, which covers Sydney’s red carpet events. Wills is also an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. “I love kids,” she says, “and look forward to the time when I can celebrate Mother’s Day as a mum.”

Jane Parkin and mumRising opera star Jane Parkin has special memories of Mother’s Day, growing up in Moree in country New South Wales as the eldest of four kids.

“I remember one Mother’s Day when the four of us cooked mum breakfast in bed. It took hours but we did our best and lovingly presented it to a wide-awake and very hungry mum. At the last moment, Dad added a red rose in a vase with the note ‘a rose for a Rose’ – my mother’s name, which I thought was the most romantic thing I’d ever seen. Mum gamely ate most of it but confessed years later that the breakfast was almost completely inedible! However, the rose was a hit.

“I’m very proud of my mum. She has incredible energy and spirit. At the moment she is working two jobs and studying for a law degree. She believes in striving for your dreams and has supported my singing 100%. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to show her our appreciation.

“Usually for Mother’s Day, the kids give her some ‘Roses’ chocolates as befits her name and the whole family takes her to lunch. This year I’ll be in Melbourne in May singing with Opera Australia so I hope to fly her down for a girlie shopping day on Chapel Street. Melbourne is such a great place to shop.”

Maggie Noonan and Katie NoonanIt’s been said that 30-year-old singer Katie Noonan has the kind of voice that brings tears to the eyes of grown men. She has topped the pop and jazz music charts and is a successful songwriter and pianist. According to Katie, her opera-singing mum Maggie Noonan has been her inspiration and Mother’s Day is a day, above all others, to just say “thanks mum”.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve been learning from mum,” Katie says. “She has taught me the importance of developing your talent and the dedication to succeed. Having a career and family life is a real juggling act.’’

Mother’s Day in the Noonan household is a mix of noisy chatter, laughter and lots of singing around the piano. Maggie says: “Mother’s Day is the perfect day to celebrate the most important aspect of my life – being a wife and mother. I am always my happiest when our children, Tyrone and Katie, and our grandchildren, Dexter and Jonah, are with me.”

According to Katie, “Mother’s Day is a chance to focus on my amazing mother and what she means to me. Now that I’m a mother myself, I have a much deeper understanding and respect for her and I cherish our relationship even more. I tend to buy her luxurious gifts that I know she would never buy herself or send her on a special getaway, such as the Barossa Valley in South Australia or Noosa with its beautiful beaches, great food and relaxed vibe.”

Pip Connelly with Astrid and ElkeFashion publicist Pip Connelly is looking forward to her first Mother’s Day for two reasons. “This is the first year I’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day as a mother myself. My twin girls Astrid and Elke will be nearly one year old and I’m so proud of myself for taking on the intense but lovely task of looking after two babies.

“My own mother has always appreciated simple gestures on Mother’s Day – homemade cards and gifts when we were little and these days a fashion magazine or breakfast by the water at Neilsen Park in Sydney’s Vaucluse. I really feel that being a mother is reward enough in itself without grand gestures or expensive presents, although I wouldn’t say no to a holiday somewhere like Byron Bay for a few days’ R&R!

“When you’re a mum, there are so many little hugs, smiles and funny incidents that help you through even the busiest of times. This Mother’s Day, my husband Bob and I are planning to have an adventure with our girls, eat lunch in the park or maybe visit the zoo. I have found that twins really are double the love and fun.”

Surprise Mum this Mother’s Day

- The newly released DVD Death at a Funeral will keep mum amused with the foibles of dysfunctional family life. A dignified send off, in true stiff-upper lip English tradition, erupts into chaos as a series of calamities besets the eccentric grief-stricken mourners.

- Mother and daughter singing duo Maggie and Katie Noonan’s soothing Two of a Kind – an album of popular opera arias, duets and jazz standards, will delight any mum. Their version of “Summertime” is sublime. Katie Noonan’s most recent solo album Skin went Gold this year, after debuting at number one on the Australian charts.

- Put a smile on a little person’s face this Mother’s Day with a gift to the Starlight Children’s Foundation in mum’s name. Tax-deductible donations can be made by visiting www.starlight.org.au.

- Cadbury “Roses” chocolates have been an all-time favourite for decades. The strawberry heart-shaped creams say it all.

- Visit Samantha Wills’ online jewellery boutique (www.samanthawills.com.au) for a special piece of jewellery any mum would adore – beautifully gift-wrapped and with national and international delivery.