As a member of this group, we join partner organisations from around the veteran community, exploring the issues the Commission is examining and testing ideas. The Royal Commission wants to hear what you are thinking, they want your feedback.

Over the coming months we will be reaching out to get your views to help guide the Commission.

The Reference Group is seeking to meet Bi-Monthly. This month’s homework is to identify international veteran and family-based initiatives, programs, services and suicide monitoring and prevention approaches that may be of interest to the Royal Commission. We are aware of some but would also like to know what you are thinking. Please feel free to share your ideas below or send them to ceo@warwidowsnsw.com.au

The post Representing your views at the heart of the Royal Commission first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Thank you to all of those who took the time to share your views on the Chatswood Office. Your feedback was very important and was used by the CEO to formulate the options presented to the Board. 

47 individuals answered the survey and key findings were as follows: 

• The survey showed overwhelming support (74%) for colocation with other veteran-based organisations with the potential for multiple efficiencies to be found.  
• The office location is a challenge due to the size of Sydney. Most respondents indicated a preference for a location that is closer to where they live.   
• Generally, respondents liked the proximity of the office to public transport, shopping centres and amenities. 
• Generally, respondents felt the office space needed cosmetic improvement to make it a space that is more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.  
• Most respondents felt that the purpose of the office was to:  
• provide a space for the work to get done through paid staff and volunteers; and  
• provide a place for members to attend, holding meetings and gatherings and create relationships with each other and the staff.   

The most common reason cited for leaving the Chatswood Office was cost of the lease, indicating that currently it was difficult for members to see value for money.  

Based on your feedback, the Board decided to repurpose the Chatswood Office and tasked the CEO and her team to turn the office into a multi-purpose space for staff to work and members to gather, connect and run small events. We will be sure to let you know when it is ready!  

For now, rest assured, we maintain an office in Sydney and there was never an intent to close the Sydney office. 

The post Chatswood Office Survey Results first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

As many of you have read in The Digest, we have recently introduced virtual Community Townhalls as a way to increase connection between the executive and members as well as gain your input, feedback and views on matters affecting the organisation.  

The third of these Townhalls will take place on 31 August 2022. If you have not already, please register your attendance here.

Please note that registration for the 31 August 2022 Townhall closes on 29 August 2022.

This Townhall will be hosted and facilitated by the State President, Queen Dunbar.

The schedule of up and coming Townhalls is provided below and registration for each will open closer to the date.

The post We want to hear from you! first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

The Annual General Meeting of Members of Australian War Widows NSW Ltd will take place on Thursday, 16 June 2022, from 10:00am AEST with attendance in person and via Zoom video meeting. 

We welcome your attendance from 9:30am for Morning Tea prior to the commencement of the meeting. A light lunch will follow the meeting for members attending in person. 

Hard copies of the following documents have been posted to all members. Downloadable versions are included below:  

• 2022 Notice of Annual General Meeting
• Registration form 
• Proxy form 
• Member Question form 
• Director Election Information Pack 
• Ballot Paper – Director Election 

For more information, visit our website page here. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us on (02) 9267 6577 or guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au if you have any questions regarding the AGM or the Election of Directors. 

The post 2022 Annual General Meeting first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Special thank you to our resident volunteer Health Coach for this article.

This coming winter and flu season is expected to be a difficult time as we emerge from COVID related lockdowns and isolation. With more people circulating in the community this year than over the last two years, it is important to be mindful of what we can do to help our immune systems over the coming months.

I’ve complied some great tips that may help give your immune system a boost:  

1. Get your flu shot – this may mitigate the instances of serious illness resulting from the flu virus.
2. Eat whole foods – (not processed ones) that are full of vitamins and nutrients. Focus on foods with high levels of protein (seafood, lean meat, poultry, eggs, beans and peas). Foods that are also rich in Vitamin A (sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli and spinach), Vitamin C (citrus foods, strawberries and certain cereals), Vitamin E (almonds, hazelnuts and peanut butter), and Zinc (lean meats, poultry, whole grain products and beans) are also great immunity building foods.  
3. Drink plenty of good clean water – water helps your body by helping to transport oxygen and nutrients to your organs and muscles. It also helps to flush the toxins and waste out of your body.  
4. Move your body – gentle movement including yoga, seated dance and walking does wonders for reducing your overall stress levels, increasing your cardiovascular health and strengthening your immune system.  
5. Sleep and rest well – by eating better and exercising, this should help to improve your sleeping habits. Good sleep and rest are fundamental to good immune function reducing underlying inflammation and allowing the body to recover and repair.  

You don’t have to change everything straight away as a rapid change like this will make sticking to these tips impossible. Instead, just try to add a little more fruit in your day with some more whole foods in your daily diet. Then add a little movement to your schedule. Then focus on your water intake. One step at a time is what will help you make positive and lasting changes.  

Stay healthy, stay safe.

The post 5 Tips To Enhance Your Immune System first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Welcome to the May Newsletter!

In this edition of the newsletter, you will find photographs from the 70^th Anniversary of the ANZAC Field of Remembrance, an update on the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Chatswood Office Survey Results, the Townhall schedule and much more.  

The central theme throughout this newsletter is two-way communication. We want to hear from you, we want to hear your ideas, we want to hear your concerns and your feedback. As a member based not-for-profit your voice is fundamental to shaping our organisation. Your feedback and views are factored into strategic and every day decision making, program and service design; and importantly, are feed directly back to the Board.  

Throughout this year you will see our staff heading out and engaging with you at your Club meetings, you will also see us reaching out more often to engage with you through scheduled meetings and surveys.   

Importantly, we want you all to know that when members voted to expand our wonderful organisation this was done to ensure our future. To ensure that everything the war widows have worked for and built isn’t handed over to another charity with a different purpose.  

The Board and CEO are committed to ensuring that no war widows are left behind by any changes or expansions that take place. In fact, the support we provide to you stays the same and will only improve. Why? Because we have strong leadership that has committed to ensuring this organisation continues, we have a plan for our future, and we have the right team in the office to deliver.   

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and look forward to speaking with you soon! 

Click here to view the newsletter online or download here.  

Team AWWNSW

Check out our previous update:
AWWNSW eNewsletter March 2022

The post AWWNSW eNewsletter May 2022 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.