Mother's Day together a long time coming for many Border families

Last year, stay-at-home restrictions were in full force south of the Murray River and in NSW restrictions were relaxed to allow visits in the home by two adults and their dependents.

While pandemic restrictions have relaxed significantly, some traditions remain affected.

The Mother's Day Classic which usually takes place at Sumsion Gardens did not run for a second year in a row.

However, fundraising continued and Lavington's Natasha Duff and three generations of her family ensured they were still doing their bit on Sunday.

"We got together and decided we would all come down and do the same trek," she said.

"We were still going to donate."

Ms Duff's mother Amanda Rollings had preventative surgery last year, and Ms Rollings said her mother, Joan James, was also diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago.

"My three kids are doing it for me, that's our Mother's Day," Ms Rollings said.

"What they found, it had not turned into cancer, but would have, so they took it out.

"The ultrasound picked it up in October last year."

Ms Duff, who experienced the impacts of border closures as a nurse working in Wodonga and is now delivering COVID-19 vaccinations, said it was difficult not being able to be in the hospital with her mum.

"We struggled with it, being unable to go to hospital with her," she said.

"We sat in the car and waited the whole time ... we wanted to be there."

Ms Rollings said being on a farm in Woomargama, there had been few family gatherings and Mother's Day 2021 was their biggest yet.

"It's definitely special, because I've got all my three children here and all my grandchildren except for one," she said.

"Our daughter-in-law is Canadian, and they've had a child - her mum and dad haven't been able to come over and see her and their granddaughter is 11 months old now."

Many families missed out on moments with new arrivals in 2020.

Carol Wright of Albury was unable to visit her daughter Jess Harris, who moved to Kiewa with her family - their second son Arthur being born soon after.

"I didn't get to see them; I saw him (Arthur) on the first day that they came home from hospital and then there were lockdowns," she said.

"And she was only 20 minutes away - it was hard."

Mrs Harris said the silver lining for her was the entire family being able to work from home and spend time together.

"Even today, we've probably run into five of our friends who have never met Arthur," she said.

The Harris family was among hundreds enjoying a market at Junction Square in Wodonga.

Chris and Jessie Renner of Wodonga brought down their kids Elliott, 2 and Sebastian, 6 months, after marking Mother's Day last year at home.

"Last year was a bit of a blur - but I think we might have gone for a walk," Mrs Renner said.

"Today has been nice, I got to have a sleep in, go to the markets and have a relaxing afternoon."

Cafes and restaurants across the Border region have been booked out, after being heavily restricted during one of their busiest weekends in 2020.

In Victoria, hospitality was still limited to takeaway-only, so full tables were a huge relief to many 12 months on.

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