A special lunch for war widows in Batemans Bay
On Thursday, 12 December 2024, members from across Batemans Bay area attended a lunch at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, bringing together 41 guests, including members, past members, families, and carers from Kiama to Bermagui. This regional visit was funded by Families of Veterans Guild and organised by our War Widows Program.
Special guests included coordinators from the Ulladulla, Bay & Basin, Moruya, and Nowra War Widows Social Clubs, as well as Diane Gowing, former coordinator of the Batemans Bay club, which is currently closed. Our President Queen Dunbar joined online, sharing highlights from War Widows Day at Martin Place and The Fullerton Hotel, accompanied by videos of the meaningful commemoration.
Highlights of the day
Members enjoyed a two-course lunch with tea and coffee, with lucky door prizes, ranging from bottles of wine to a Christmas cake serving splayd, added a festive touch.
Congratulations to the 14 war widows who were the lucky door prize winners!
A special moment honoured member Phyl S. who will celebrate her 101st birthday in January 2025, receiving congratulations from all and was also one of the lucky door prize winners of the day.
Discussions were made of the new war widows social group, a private Facebook community designed as a secure space for war widows to connect, share experiences, and find updates on in-person events.
“Days like today make a year full of bad news a little brighter”, one of our attendees said.
Gatherings like this show the importance of connection. For more information on joining the new War Widows Social Group on Facebook, or joining a local club, contact Families of Veterans Guild at (02) 9267 6577 or email programs@fov.org.au.
