"I love my mum because after providing her with her first granddaughter Anthanasia (pictured), I have now officially stepped up to the number one favourite son position. My mother left Cyprus when she was 17 determined to make a better life in Australia. By doing so her mother never got to meet her daughter’s three sons before she passed away. That’s why I love her, because of the sacrifices she made for my two brothers and me." – Con Stamocostas, features writer

"There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on our face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all our stories is always our mother's story, because hers is where ours began … It wasn’t until I had my own children, that I realised, motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother that’s always there to catch us when we fall. I was lucky enough to grow up with a mother that taught me that the world will never be the same because I came this way, and that if I wanted success to happen, then it was all up to me to pursue." – Theodora Maios, features writer

“For all the things my hands have held, the best by far was my children. Just when I thought I knew what love was, these two little people came along to teach me just how precious love really is and what life is about.” – Theodora Maios, features writer, and mother of 11-year-old Ellie and 9-year-old Aidon (pictured), with her niece Lydia.

"We wait for our kids to be born, eat solid foods, get out of nappies, walk, talk, acquire critical thinking and independence and understand what a gift it is to watch this growth and feel proud of our own input as a link in the cycle of life. We acknowledge our own mothers who supported us along the way and feel even closer to them once we realise exactly how it feels to be a life bearer. And then we see life from another perspective. Our own mothers, once strong and proud, slowly disappearing from our grasp. Losing their ability to walk, talk, eat, go to the toilet, eat solid foods – and death. And, morbid though it is, that is the thought that pops to mind on my first Mother’s Day without Damiani, a teacher, feminist, mentor, mother, grandmother… Thanks mum for teaching me so much about life from start to finish. You are missed each and every day." – Mary Sinanidis, editor

"Soula's kitchen rules. She expresses her love for family and friends through sharing the wonderful food she cooks and Bakes. Happy Mother's Day Soula and to all the other great mums." – George Stogiannou, sports reporter

"My mum passed away at 36 years of age, around Christmas time. I was 16 at the time, and from that day, her death has left an unforgettable mark on my life." – Kostas Paivanas, sales representative

“Oh where to begin. No words are adequate enough to express what my mum means to me, and in fact, to my entire family. As cliché as it may sound, she really is the sun and the moon for us. She is a strong and determined woman, for whom nothing means more than family. She shows her love by giving, whether it be food or advice – she is always the first to lift me up in the face of challenges, and remind me of my worth. One thing she unknowingly taught me growing up is the importance of being present, showing love, affection. And as I get older, and thoughts of my own mortality sneak up on me, I inevitably can’t avoid thinking of hers – a scary thought. My, how did I get so morbid all of a sudden? Happy Mother’s Day to my mum, and all the other mothers, as well as those taking on that role, whether it be fathers, aunties, grandmothers, or friends. Life is better with you in it." – Anastasia Tsirtsakis, journalist

"Becoming a mother has been 'everything I never knew I wanted'. Happy mother's day to my mum, who shows her love with food, so there is always plenty of it and to my sister, who is the other woman who helped me raise my beautiful daughter." – Angela Tsipras, Advertising & Partnerships Executive