Twenty-one years at the helm: Aileen Watkins OBE and the making of the Guild Part of our 80th anniversary series, honouring the war widows who built this organisation. When the War Widows’ Guild began in NSW in 1946, it had almost nothing. No offices of its own, no housing, no reliable income. What it had was a founding idea […]
80 years of stories: Aileen Watkins OBE Read More »
Member Stories, War Widows Program
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
Holding each other close: Muswellbrook Social Club Read More »
Member Stories, War Widows Program
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
An object with a story – Patterns of comfort Read More »
Member Stories, War Widows Program
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
ANZAC Field of Remembrance Regional gatherings Read More »
Commemorations, Events, Member Stories
“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.
A war widows story: Mary – ‘I do it my way’ Read More »
Member Stories
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.
Marjorie C. – Still making a difference at 100 Read More »
Member Stories