80 years ago, war widows in NSW came together for the first time. They were demanding fair treatment, fair compensation, and a place in the system that had largely overlooked them. Jessie Vasey gathered them, not to seek sympathy, but to build a community grounded in dignity, self-help and mutual support.
That community has lasted 80 years. The need it answered has not changed. What began as war widows supporting each other has grown into an organisation supporting families right across the veteran community. The purpose is the same, and we are carrying it forward for generations to come.
Why we are collecting 80 years of stories
A history this long is not one story. It is thousands. It lives in the women who built the Guild, in those who carry it forward, and in the ordinary things that hold meaning: a letter kept in a drawer, a badge worn with pride, a photograph from a gathering decades ago.
This year, to mark our 80th anniversary, we are collecting those stories. We are calling it 80 years of stories, and we would like to hear yours.
How to share your story
There are three ways to take part. Choose whichever suits you best.
- Submit your story and a photo in our War Widows Honour Roll
- Send us a reflection. A few lines or a few paragraphs, with a photo if you have one. Send to communications@fov.org.au.
- Record a short video. A simple video filmed on your phone. There is no need for anything polished.
- Share an object with a story. Send us a picture of a keepsake, a medal, a letter or a photograph. Tell us what it is and what it means to you and the stories behind it.
Every story helps the next generation understand our war widows, where this community came from and why it still stands.
80 years on, we are still here
Still advocating. Still standing alongside war widows and veteran families. Your story is part of our story — and it is the foundation everything else we do is built on.
If you prefer to send your story directly to us: Contact the Communications team at communications@fov.org.au
Together We Still Stand · 1946–2026
