Member Stories

Holding each other close: Muswellbrook Social Club

War Widows Social Clubs have always been a place where friendships are forever remembered, even decades later. From the beginning, our social clubs have existed to make sure no war widow faces life alone. Formed in the tradition set by our founder Jessie Vasey CBE OBE who “welded” widows together so they had voice, companionship and practical support, the clubs offer belonging built on a shared loss that only those who’ve lived it […]

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July 31, 2026

An object with a story – Patterns of comfort

80 years of the Guild means 80 years of history and memories woven into personal possessions. War widows and veteran families carry pieces of our shared history in their homes, these pieces holding the stories of those who owned them and a reflection of the time they lived in. Through the years, our members have been kind enough to occasionally share items with us so we can pass on those memories and

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July 31, 2026

ANZAC Field of Remembrance Regional gatherings

Each year, we do our best to bring the ANZAC Field of Remembrance to regional areas. It is important to us that widows who are not located in Sydney or who cannot travel to attend the service have a way to be involved no matter where they live. This is why we host the regional gatherings around NSW

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Commemorations, Events, Member StoriesADF families, ANZAC Field of remembrance, Australian War Widows, connecting war widows, defence families, Families of veterans, Guild social clubs, social connection, veteran families, War Widows, War Widows NSW, wellbeing

May 4, 2026

A war widows story. The experiences and story of a war widow.

A war widows story: Mary – ‘I do it my way’

“I do it my way.” A phrase that speaks to living honestly, guided by one’s own values rather than others’ expectations. A phrase spoken by 98-year-old war widow, Mary P. who became a war widow in 1993 after losing her husband, Albert, who had been suffering from bronchial asthma for a long period of time.

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Member Storiesa war widows story, ADF families, ADF Member Families, Australian War Widows, defence families, Families of veterans, Guild social clubs, Member story, veteran families, War Widows, War Widows NSW, War widows story

March 13, 2026

Marjorie C. – Still making a difference at 100

At a peaceful retirement village in Laurieton lives war widow Marjorie C. At 100 years old, she is one of the last known widows of a First World War veteran in Australia and has been a member of the Guild for 42 years. We were honoured to talk with Marjorie and hear her story first-hand.

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March 11, 2026

Social club highlights, war widows outing, war widows social club outings. Social connection for war widows.

War Widows Social Club Christmas gatherings

As the year is wrapping up, war widow social clubs have been celebrating the Christmas season with club lunches that bring members together for good food and great company as one last celebration together for 2025. These gatherings are a tradition that keeps friendships strong as members close the year with a final festive celebration, reminding us why connection matters during the holidays. Throughout late November and recent weeks of December, there have

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Member Stories, War Widows Program, War Widows ProgramADF families, ADF Member Families, Australian War Widows, Christmas gatherings, connecting war widows, defence families, Guild social clubs, Peer Connection, peer support, social connection, veteran community, veteran families, War Widows, War Widows NSW, War widows social club, wellbeing defence

December 19, 2025

An object with a story – Patterns of comfort

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