The Arch of Victory/ Avenue of Honour Committee held a short service at the Statue of the Grieving Mother at 2pm for around 40 people. Year 12 Loreto College student Isabelle De Livera read two poems reflecting on the pain of grieving mothers who were affected by their children fighting at war.

"Women suffered in silence... cried in empty beds and mourned their sons, fathers, brothers and lovers," she read.

Arch of Victory/ Avenue of Honour Committee president Garry Snowden referred to the Statue of the Grieving Mother during the service after naming Ballarat mothers whose sons died at war.

"This memorial stands as a tribute of respect and remembrance to those women. We frequently remember soldiers, but not so frequently remember those who suffered at home - the mothers," he said.

"Today we are remembering them and saying thank you for mothers and those who lived through times of conflict and mourning."

Around 20 floral tributes were placed at the base of the statue by 2pm on Sunday.

It was the first year the committee ran the memorial service in response to almost 100 floral tributes that were placed at the statue on Mother's Day last year.

"It was apparent a lot of people in the community felt moved. Many use the site as a place to remember and commemorate their mother's who may be buried away from Ballarat," Mr Snowden said.

It is hoped a similar service will be conducted on Mother's Day next year.

The Statue of the Grieving Mother, adjacent to a wall with the names of Ballarat soldiers who never returned at the beginning of the Avenue of Honour, was opened in 2017.

It is one of only two memorials dedicated to the grieving mothers affected by their children fighting overseas in Australia. The other memorial of its kind is in Geraldton, Western Australia.

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