From the beginning, our social clubs have existed to make sure no war widow faces life alone. Formed in the tradition set by Jessie Vasey, who “welded” widows together so they had voice, companionship and practical support, the clubs offer belonging built on a shared loss and a shared resolve. That unspoken understanding is why a simple gathering matters: it steadies grief, restores confidence and keeps women connected to one another and to our mission.
Over the past six months, these gatherings have continued to bring war widows together for reasons that go far beyond what is seen on the surface. They are spaces where women who understand each other can find comfort in shared experiences—lives forever shaped by service. Whether it’s celebrating an occasion, enjoying an outing with peers, or simply sharing a cup of tea and cake, these moments remind us why staying connected matters.
Here are some of the highlights from recent gatherings.
Lynne’s birthday – City Saturday Social Club
At their July gathering, members of the City Saturday Social Club celebrated the birthday of their dedicated Coordinator, Lynne. For 20 years, Lynne has been a trusted friend—not only to the three remaining members of the club but to many other war widows across our community. She makes sure these women stay connected by personally inviting members from other clubs to join their meetings, organising outings, and preparing home‑cooked meals for every gathering.
Her efforts mean the club can keep meeting regularly despite its small size, and those meetings have become a lifeline for friendship and support. Twelve ladies came together to honour Lynne with cake and heartfelt thanks for the way she has sustained these bonds. True to her nature, Lynne often brushes aside praise, saying, “I get much more out of it than I give to them.”
Visit to the Art Gallery of NSW – Younger Members Social Club
Earlier this year, the Younger Members Social Club had their annual visit to the Art Gallery of NSW to view the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize entries. The day was kindly organised by Di, who has helped to coordinate seven different outings for the group in 2025 alone, with each one providing their club with new adventures to experience together. There were 903 entries and 57 finalists on display, letting the ladies view the variety of works together and pick their favourites, with one of the ladies saying, “the Art Gallery NSW is definitely a place to lose yourself for hours”. Lunch was pre‑selected and served in a quiet corner of the gallery café, allowing the ladies to end the outing with conversations and guesses on which finalist would make the cut. Their annual visits to view the Archibald have been a consistent tradition in the group for reasons beyond the fascinating art, but more so the conversations and laughs that blossom from the day. Di was thanked by a fellow member for “giving us a taste of culture, coupled with great company, laughter and a sprinkling of tears.”
Honouring the commitment of Macksville Social Club Coordinator, Edna
During the month of October, Macksville ladies gathered for a War Widows Day celebration with high tea and a special surprise for their Coordinator Edna. Edna received a Certificate of Appreciation for her 25 years of dedication to the Macksville Social Club. The presentation was from Board Member Lyn Bye who recalls it to be a lovely moment that had Edna surprised and the group proud to celebrate her contribution. Lyn had never met the group of ladies until that day, but left with new connections and the memory of them being “very delightful and welcoming.” Lyn has been invited back since, as this group of ladies is keen to connect once more after such a vibrant day.
Heather’s Coordination pass over – Epping Club
Members from Epping, Chatswood, and North Ryde recently came together at the Epping RSL Club to farewell Heather’s time as Coordinator, a role she has held since 2007. Her ladies could not be anything but proud of Heather for her dedication to their club for so many years. The morning tea included a certificate presentation by Board Member Lynne Sullivan, followed by lunch and conversations. The three club members present formed new friendships between each other, and as one member puts it, “We were all brought together through our love and friendship of this amazing woman… Heather.”
Thank you lunch for Myra – Bankstown Club
On the eve of Remembrance Day, Bankstown members gathered to honour Myra for her tireless efforts in running the club. A certificate and flowers were presented by member Lynne during morning tea, with seven ladies in attendance. Lynne mentioned how admirable Myra was, saying how the day was a “great acknowledgement of all that Myra does. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.” Her hard work and commitment are so prominent in her practice that it was even recognised by the CEO of Bankstown RSL, who acknowledged and congratulated Myra that same day.
Northern Beaches Meeting & birthday celebrations
Eighteen ladies met at the Gallipoli Club in September for lunch and a special celebration for the six birthdays that were in one month, with one member turning 101! Pamela, the Coordinator, surprised everyone with a rainbow cake, every September birthday was able to be celebrated in just one meeting. Pamela said out of all her outings in 2025, this was “one of the loveliest meetings I’d had all year”. It was a meeting that allowed every recent birthday to be recognised and celebrated collectively.
These gatherings show the strength of our community and the importance of staying connected. Whether it’s sharing stories, celebrating achievements, or simply enjoying each other’s company, our social clubs offer a space where friendships flourish. If you’ve ever thought about joining a club, there’s always room for one more at the table.
To join a War Widows Social Club or to find a club near you, view our War Widows Programs page and use our handy interactive map to locate clubs in your area. Alternatively, reach out to us at warwidows@fov.org.au for any support regarding clubs or call the office at 02 9267 6577.
