Rosie Cupitt - Mum, Mavis
My mother is proud of her achievements in life, and so she should be. She is 98 and lived during the war and economic hardship, so accepted life as it was. Her family was her rock, and they supported each other unconditionally which helped maintain a positive approach.
Mavis Meade was a pioneer of early radio and at 16 was an announcer on 4CA in Cairns, FNQ. She was picked out of the office staff as her voice was good, her English was” proper”, and she presented as a capable young woman. During the war, she sent coded messages on the airwaves to the forces during the Coral Sea battles and her family were one of the few left behind when most of Cairns was evacuated as Mavis was deemed essential to the services on the ground. She was given the crown of Miss Empire at a beauty pageant during the war so her looks helped her to present well.
Her stories of this time are fascinating even though she suffered heartbreak when her fiancée told her couldn't marry her as he was gay. She had followed him to NSW to be married after the war and could only get a position in the country as a female announcer, so travelled to Sydney from Goulburn every weekend to see Archie. She maintained contact with Arch until his death and was remembered by him in his will, such was their friendship. Luckily for us all, she met and married my darling Papa!
My mother has always worked hard and continued her radio career at 2GN Goulburn and 2VM Moree until she changed to a private secretary in a law firm, to become one of the best legal clerks at the Moree firm and then at a law firm in Bowral. The Bowral firm wanted her to gain formal qualifications, but she was happy to do her job without the “letters”. At the same time, she and my father also ran a florist/nursery in Bowral with mum doing the flower orders in her lunch hours. She was an absolute green thumb, and I attribute my passion for horticulture to her, which led me to study horticulture. My sister is also in the industry and with her husband, has run a successful nursery in the Highlands since 1977.
I have been inspired by her “ can do” attitude so I’m sure that’s why I took myself to uni as a mature student to learn Winemaking, to the amusement of my family, or maybe they weren’t surprised to see me jump into this new career because….”I quite like a drink”!
She has been a wonderful loving grandmother to our children spoiling them in any way possible. Her cooking was legendary, as were both my grandmothers, so I guess their love and tradition with food has been an inspiration to me and I’m sure that influenced the birth of Cupitt's restaurant. We’ve always loved sharing food with family and friends and the conviviality of that experience, so now we have more tables for many more people to share!
On reflection, Mavis, you just might be the inspiration why Cupitt's was born!
Tom Cupitt - General Manager, Mum Rosie
As Mother's Day approaches, we take a moment to honour the incredible woman who founded Cupitt's Winery, our beloved restaurant and vineyard. We owe everything we are to her vision, her passion, and her drive to create a place where people can come together over good food and wine.
For those who know her, it's no surprise that many of our fondest memories of Mum revolve around the pleasures of the table. She has always been the heart and soul of our kitchen, inspiring us to create delicious meals and unforgettable experiences for our guests.
We are grateful for her endless dedication and hard work, and for the legacy she has created for us all. Happy Mother's Day to the woman who started it all. May your legacy live on for generations to come.
Libby Cupitt - Mum Jan
"When someone asks you where you come from, the answer is your mother," Anna Quindlen. And in my case, it's not just where I come from, but who I am today - thanks to my incredible mum.
Growing up as the third child in a household of two full-time working parents was chaotic, to say the least. But my mum was a superhero, juggling her career and motherhood with grace and kindness. She taught me the value of compassion and giving, always going out of her way to help others in any way she could.
But my favourite thing about my mum was her hosting skills. Our home was always bustling with people - friends, family, and even strangers - dropping by for drinks, BBQs, and parties. And Mum was always the perfect host, making sure everyone felt welcome and comfortable.
I loved playing bartender and cheese platter extraordinaire at these gatherings, and it's no surprise that I ended up in the hospitality industry. My mum taught me that true hospitality is about making others feel cared for and valued, and I strive to bring that same spirit of generosity at Cupitt’s every day.
This year, I can't wait to have a little party with my mum again and celebrate all the lessons she's taught me. As Anna Quindlen said, where we come from is our mother - and I'm proud to come from such an amazing one.
Mel Louth - People and Culture Manager, mum Sue
Growing up it was just mum and I from year 4. She was always there for me and I knew she had my back at all times. She is still there for me no matter what and I really appreciate that. I now understand as a mother what she gave up so that I could have enough. She’s a pretty wonderful lady and I’m lucky to have her as my mum.
I’m looking forward to spending this Mother’s Day with my mum, as well as my lovely mother in law. It’ll be our first one hosting it in our new home and spending this quality time with each other, with the mum’s sitting back and being spoiled is going to be wonderful and special.
Kris Dalton-Cellar Door Manager, mum Jean
My Mum was the sort of person you had on speed dial, not only for me and my siblings but for my cousins and all of my friends as well. She was the sort of person you could confide in, and she would help you sort through any issue, large or small. Now being a Mum myself I often find myself wondering where she found the time to look after 4 kids, work for herself full time and lead several committees, volunteer and be at every, netball, basketball, tennis, soccer game and swim meet, every week! On top of all that she had been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the early age of 17, an affliction she carried throughout her life without complaint.
When I was still in primary school, Mum bought a local Wollongong Bookshop called Coddington's. Mum lived and breathed the bookshop for many years. Mum's greatest gift was to instil a love of reading and stories into generations of Wollongong kids, and it will be her great legacy for those children, their children and their grandchildren. She also taught us that you have to give back to your community. She volunteered for everything. She couldn’t say no to a committee. She was on every P&C, the Children’s Book Council, the Booksellers Association, Friends of the Library, Lifeline, the Lake Illawarra Trust, the Escarpment Committee and the West Dapto Planning Committee.
Mum gave her all to every one of these commitments. This resulted in all sorts of awards – the Rodin Cutler Award for service to children’s literature, the Lloyd O’Neill Award for service to the Australian book industry and her OAM for service to literature, the bookselling industry and the community of Wollongong.
Beyond work we were lucky enough to grow up on “Ferg’s Farm. A place with a unique warmth created by Dad and Mum. They welcomed people on to their wonderful veranda with the light breeze and the view of the trees, paddocks and escarpment for over 45 years.
No-one ever left that farm without a book or a great bottle of Aussie red wine under their arm.
It's one of the reasons I was drawn to work at Cupitts. A family farm that opens their arms to welcome everyone, to enjoy great food, beer, wine and great conversations.
One of my favourite quotes from Mum was….
“when you are having a tough time, just remember whose daughter you are, straighten your crown and get on with it!”
Mum passed almost a year ago and this will be the first Mother's Day without her physical presence, I do feel her around me every day but I just wish sometimes I could press the speed dial and have a chat.
Zach Milne - Marketing Manager, Mum Donna
For most of my life, it's always been just Mum and I. As a single mother, my Mum worked incredibly hard to provide for both of us and to ensure I had everything I needed and plenty of love! I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. She’s taught me all the life lessons, including the importance of empathy, adventure and the power of a creative mind.
As I get older, I’m excited to see how our relationship is evolving. She's everything I could ask for in a Mother and a best friend. I can't wait to spoil Mum this year with a gorgeous gift I know she’ll love and some quality time together.
