Families of Veterans Guild

Monthly sound immersion sessions for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:02:18 +0000

Experience sound immersion: free monthly sessions for war widows defence and veteran families

Let sound do the work of slowing you down. This monthly wellbeing activity uses chimes, voice, and singing bowls to guide your body into a deep state of rest. Starting Sunday 20 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our monthly sound immersion in Dickson for an hour of calm alongside others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Monthly sound immersion

Join us at Soma Women’s Wellbeing in Dickson for a 60-minute guided sound immersion led by Koko, using chimes, voice, Tibetan singing bowls, and other resonant instruments to bring your body into a deep state of rest and recovery. You will be able to sit or lie down — mats and chairs both work — with your eyes closed if that feels comfortable, while the sound moves through the room.

The session gives your system something different: heart rate and breathing slow, muscle tension releases, and the mental fog that comes from chronic stress starts to lift. Most people leave with a clearer head, better focus for the rest of the day, and noticeably less tension in the shoulders. Tea is included, and there is no cost to attend.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed spending time outdoors, exploring somewhere new, getting fresh air and gentle exercise, and connecting with others who understand my lifestyle and experiences.”

Event information

Location: Soma Women’s Wellbeing, 57 Dickson Pl, Dickson ACT.

Dates:
- Sunday 20th September
- Sunday 11th October
- Sunday 8th November
- Sunday 13th December
- Sunday 7th February
- Sunday 14th March
- Sunday 11th April

Times: 2pm – 3pm (arrive at 1.45pm for set up).
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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Paint by numbers online for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:55:00 +0000

Relax and create: paint by numbers session for war widows, defence and veteran families

Grab a brush and settle in for a relaxed evening of colour! This online wellbeing activity brings families together over a paint-by-numbers kit, from the comfort of your own home. On Wednesday 23 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our paint by numbers session for a creative night in alongside others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Paint by numbers

Join us online via Zoom for a relaxed evening of painting, guided by two of our social workers. Following the numbers, you’ll create three paint-by-numbers canvases featuring Sicilian scenes and stamp designs and follow along at your own pace. Each household receives one kit to share.

It’s a simple, screen-free way to spend quality time together and connect with other families around the country from the comfort of home. There is no cost to attend, and children are welcome to join in with adult supervision.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed connecting and sharing conversations with others from around the country, spending quality time with my family, and participating in a different activity.”

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).
Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026.
Time: 7pm – 8pm (AEST).

Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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Rise Together Initiative 2026

Kelly Taylor — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:02:42 +0000

Building career confidence for defence and veteran partners

Applications are now open for the 2026 Rise Together Initiative.

Bringing together our work supporting the careers of defence and veteran partners, we are running the Rise Together Initiative online this year as part of a two-day program. The aim of this initiative is to build the career confidence of defence and veteran partners, directly addressing the negative impacts of defence service on their careers.

Why career confidence matters for veteran families

Families of veterans make unique sacrifices when supporting their loved one, both during and after ADF service. Partners of veterans often balance the many demands of supporting family, relocations and adjustments, deployments and other absence from home, transition out of service and caring roles due to illness or injury.

Career satisfaction is an important element of wellbeing. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining their career aspirations due to the unique nature of Defence life, increasing their risk of unemployment and underemployment. Defence and veteran partners are three times more likely to be under or unemployed than the general population, and 92% of those affected are women. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage partners of current and former serving ADF members to focus on self-care and expand their careers.

What the 2026 Rise Together Initiative offers

In 2026 the Rise Together Initiative will provide up to 30 defence and veteran partners with the opportunity to undertake personal and professional development over 2 full days online:

Day one, facilitated by psychologists from People Measures: build a learning mindset, understand your values and professional brand, explore career development opportunities, and create a future-focused plan.

Day two, delivered by our qualified social workers: a morning wellbeing session drawing on Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, presentations on employment, career, study and training pathways, resume and job application support, and an afternoon watercolour session for self-care and creativity.

There is no cost to take part, and every participant receives a wellbeing pack in the post.

Key dates

Rise Together Initiative program: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026
Applications close: Wednesday 2 September
Applicants notified of outcome: Tuesday 8 September

Applications information

Applications are open to defence and veteran partners and widows. Ex-partners may also be considered. Applications will be reviewed by our CEO Renee Wilson and our Social Work and Wellbeing Manager, Lisa Stephenson.

How to apply

To apply for your place in the two-day program:

Complete the Expression of Interest form here: Expressions of Interest for Rise Together Initiative
Email your current resume to wellbeing@fov.org.au

For any further information about the Rise Together Initiative, please contact Kerrie or Lisa at 02 9267 6577 or wellbeing@fov.org.au

The post Rise Together Initiative 2026 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Holding each other close: Muswellbrook Social Club

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:52:04 +0000

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 can truly understand.

Many war widows have found in their social club a safe space that has always been there for them, and an unspoken understanding of why a simple gathering matters: it steadies grief, restores confidence and keeps women connected to one another and to our shared mission.

A club held together for 57 years

For more than 57 years at the Muswellbrook War Widows Social Club, this spirit has been preserved and lived. The perfect example of why social clubs are the strength of our community, and why it is important for war widows to stay connected to each other, no matter the size of the gatherings. Today, although only five members remain at Muswellbrook, the bonds formed with those who have passed continue to be remembered and cherished at every meetings. “We look after one another,” Coordinator Sheena explains. “When one’s ill or needs help, we call around. We keep an eye on each other.”

The monthly gatherings are all about ‘companionship’ as Sheena puts it, whether it be talking about their families, their children and grandchildren, or sharing the everyday moments of life. As families grow and generations become busier, those family connections can sometimes fade, which is why groups like these are held so dear; it gives these ladies steady and regular times to connect to one another – friendships that, as Sheena describes it, have grown “close-knit,” built on years together.

Stepping up to keep the doors open

Keeping a club like this going, month after month, takes someone willing to hold the door open. For Sheena and many coordinators of our war widows social clubs, stepping into the role was never part of their long-term plan. “I’ve never done anything like this in my life,” she admits. But when the previous coordinator needed to resign, she knew someone had to take over. Sheena couldn’t bear the thought of the club closing its doors after decades of history. For Sheena, the club is worth running for as long as the bond between these women stays alive. “As long as we can keep this closeness,” she said.

Seeing how much enjoyment the ladies continue to get from their time together is what drove her to take over as coordinator and to keep organising gatherings. Sheena expressed how her coordination is about honouring everyone who fought to keep the club going over the years, and ensuring there is still a place in Muswellbrook where these women can come together. Sheena’s sentiments are shared by coordinators in other war widows social clubs, with many having expressed that despite never planning to take on such a role, they simply couldn’t imagine letting go of a place that means and has meant so much to so many.

Remembering Joyce and Betty

That devotion to one another is felt most deeply when the club loses one of its own. In November 2025 at the club’s annual Christmas gathering, the group chose to honour two beloved members who passed away during the year: Joyce and Betty. Both women were part of the fabric of the club in their own ways, and their presence is still deeply felt by those who knew them for many years. So close are these bonds that even when members pass, they are still spoken of as a dear friend and still considered part of the club they contributed to.

To honour Joyce and Betty’s memories at the gathering, the ladies of the club placed two special items on the Christmas decorated table.

For Joyce there was the pillowcase that she had used every year to hold the gifts for the club’s Christmas gift exchange. Known as the life of the party, Joyce is remembered fondly through small moments – like the time, as Sheena recalls with laughter, the ladies were served the tiniest portion of custard with their dessert, and Joyce’s spirited protest won the table an entire two‑litre jug from a nervous waiter. The ladies laughed about it for days after. It’s stories like this that keep her memory alive within the group. Before she passed away, she made one request to the Coordinator, “please use the pillowcase.” And so they did, placing it on the table as a reminder of her spirit and the laughter she brought.

Beside the pillowcase sat a poinsettia flower, placed in memory of Betty, who lived well into her 90’s and was long-standing member of the Musswellbrook War Widows Social Club. At the previous year’s Christmas party, Betty gave that very poinsettia to Sheena as a thank you for organising the day. Betty is remembered as an appreciative, grateful woman whose actions spoke for her. The flower returned to the table once more, becoming a symbol of Betty’s gratitude for others, and the way she acknowledged Sheena’s hard work as their Coordinator. Different in nature but equal in impact, Joyce and Betty are proof that every personality, talkers or listeners, expressive or reserved, are all needed, welcomed, and deeply valued at our war widows social clubs.

The lunch itself was one to remember, the afternoon slipping away as they chatted and “carried on for hours,” enjoying each other’s company, as they always do at their monthly gatherings. It was a pleasant mix of remembrance and ending the year of 2025 with each other.

When we spoke about the day with Sheena, she confessed that losing members after so many years of knowing them would never be easy. “It’s hard to lose them after having known them for 23 years,” she shared. This is a feeling echoed by many war widows across social clubs, who understand each other’s grief, and the comfort found in remaining connected through their close-knit groups.

No one is ever left behind

Despite their small numbers now, the Muswellbrook War Widows Social Club remains a lovely and friendly group where everyone helps one another, works things out together, and finds joy in being with each other every month. Gathering has never been about how many chairs are filled, it is about the women who fill them, and who keep showing up for one another each month, year after year. Unlike workplaces or familial obligations, social clubs are spaces you choose. Spaces war widows choose to return to, to sit with the friends often described as life-changing ones. And while many admit they were unsure or hesitant when they first walked through the door, none speak of regret. So, the Muswellbrook Social Club carries on, as it always has; and each year, when the pillowcase and poinsettia are placed on the Christmas table, Joyce and Betty are there too. Because no matter how few remain, no one is ever truly left behind.

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An object with a story – Patterns of comfort

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:49:45 +0000

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 preserve them with care.

Smaller than a postcard and worn soft at the corners, the cover printed in red: How to Knit Comforts for Our Soldiers. This small booklet, decades old, was sent to us by a member of our community, Jan, with a note explaining why. “I value and greatly respect, admire and appreciate your dedication to the work you are doing to preserve the history and lifestyle of Australian men and women.” Jan understood that these stories only survive if someone chooses to keep them and share them.

Knitting as a national effort

The booklet dates from a time when knitting for soldiers became a national effort, taken up in homes, halls, workplaces, and classrooms across the country. Inside is a set of patterns, page after page of instructions for the garments soldiers needed most. Wool and needles travelled everywhere: on trams, in waiting rooms, at kitchen tables after dinner. For many families it was the one practical thing they could still do for someone a long way from home. Through the Australian Red Cross Society and the Australian Comforts Fund, Australian volunteers knitted and sent more than 1.3 million pairs of socks overseas during World War One, alongside balaclavas, mittens, vests, and mufflers. In NSW, schoolchildren knitted around 54,000 pairs in 1915 alone.

A booklet that tell the story

Open the booklet and you can see how much it was used. Notes in pencil, measurements written in the margins, the writing small and faded now. It belonged to Eunice, the elder of two sisters, and Jan understands those faded numbers are the shoe and foot size of Eunice’s brother Arthur. The markings are part of the object’s history: evidence of someone sitting down with the booklet in hand, working out how to make something that would fit, comfort, and last for a loved one far from home. Printed on the cover is a price of sixpence. What it holds is harder to price: the hours of women and children across the country, Eunice’s among them, and the care of the people who kept it safe so the rest of us could see it.

That is the thing about the objects we keep. They are rarely grand; ordinary belongings become extraordinary because of the memories and stories attached to them.

An object survives longer than the story attached to it. A booklet, a medal, a photograph can sit safely in a drawer for decades while the details around it thin out – who owned it, why they kept it, what it meant to them at the time. What holds a story in place is someone telling it and sharing it with others. Jan chose to pass the booklet on along with a note about what she knew of it and why she shared it with us.

Does this stir a memory for you? Perhaps there is a similar book or object in your own home; maybe it makes you wonder what sits in your own cupboards and drawers; it could be the object your children or friends already know the story of, or the one you have never told anyone about.

Share your story with us

This year marks 80 years since Jessie Vasey CBE OBE founded the Guild. 80 years of history, and we would like to gather the stories of war widows, their families and of inanimate objects that find life in the memories they hold. The everyday things: the photograph in its frame, the tin on the top shelf, the object that carries a story you would like to pass on.

If you have an object and a story to go with it, please share the story with us. Give us a call on (02) 9267 6577 or email communications@fov.org.au. You do not have to send the piece to us. Just send us a photo, what it is, and what it means to you. It is a chance to pass on a story that only you can tell. A chance for 80 years of stories to keep being told.

[See image gallery at familiesofveterans.org.au]

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Wellbeing walk and lunch for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:25:41 +0000

Lakeside walk and lunch for war widows, defence and veteran families

Swap the everyday for an easy lakeside walk and a good lunch. This wellbeing activity starts at Canberra Glassworks and follows Lake Burley Griffin at a steady pace. On Friday 4 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join this wellbeing walk and lunch for fresh air and good company!

Wellbeing walk and lunch

Join us at Canberra Glassworks for a wellbeing walk of about 60 minutes along Lake Burley Griffin. The route is paved and flat, and it’s pram and wheelchair friendly, so everyone can take part comfortably. After the walk, we will head to Brodburger Kingston for lunch together.

Lunch is included, and there is no cost to attend. Just bring yourself and enjoy the company in nature!

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed spending time outdoors, exploring somewhere new, getting fresh air and gentle exercise, and connecting with others who understand my lifestyle and experiences.”

Event information

Location: Meet at Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston ACT 2604.
Date: Friday 4 September 2026.
Time: 11am – 1pm.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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Afternoon tea for Sydney veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:33:50 +0000

An afternoon of cake and company for war widows, defence and veteran families

Cake, coffee, and easy conversation! That’s the shape of this wellbeing activity in the heart of Sydney. On Saturday 19 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our family afternoon tea for a relaxed afternoon of good company with others who understand defence family life.

Family afternoon tea

Join us at Metropole Café in the QVB for an afternoon of cake and coffee with other war widows, defence and veteran families. The café is easy to reach by public transport, near Town Hall station.

Afternoon tea, including cake and a coffee or tea, is provided, and there is no cost to attend. Whether you’re a familiar face or joining us for the first time, you’ll find a warm and friendly group.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to connect with such a wonderful group. It was such a great opportunity to do a self-care activity and get to know some of the other attendees at the same time.”

Event information

Location: Metropole Café, Kiosk 56, Ground Floor/455 George St, Sydney NSW.
Date: Saturday 19 September 2026.
Time: 2pm – 4pm.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is essential, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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National advocacy for Australia’s war widows

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:43:52 +0000

80 years ago, Australia’s war widows came together in the aftermath of World War II to advocate for recognition, rights and each other. What began as a small community guild soon became a powerful national movement, one that drove powerful advocacy for war widows across Australia and could not be ignored by the government.

That movement was shaped by the vision of Jessie Vasey and the women who stood beside her. They understood that only a widow truly knows what a widow carries — and that through unity and advocacy, that burden could be shared, and lives rebuilt.

As some of you may already be aware of, Australian War Widows Incorporated (War Widows National) is in the process of winding up operations following changes to its membership structure. We want to be clear that while this marks the end of one chapter, it does not mark the end of the powerful voice and communities that war widows have built since 1946.

The Families of Veterans Guild (the Guild), owned and operated by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd, is Australia’s oldest and largest remaining war widows’ organisation. It will assume the national representation and advocacy function being left behind by War Widows National from July 2026. This is a significant responsibility, and we take it on grounded by the Guild’s founding purpose: to advocate for the dignity and needs of war widows and their families, and to ensure their legacy and contributions continue to be recognised.

During the transition period, our immediate focus is continuity of representation at national forums and commemorations so that the interests of war widows continue to be heard and protected nationally. We are already advocating to protect war widow entitlements, for example many of you will have seen our strong public opposition of the $5,000 cap on allied health services which will affect War Widows across the country should it come into place in July 2027.

Over the coming months, we will commence working with remaining state-based war widows associations in Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT—respected organisations with deep roots in their communities—to develop a new model for national representation that strengthens our movement further. We will keep you informed of progress.

As War Widows National concludes its operations, we want to acknowledge the longstanding and powerful contribution of the organisation and all its Presidents and leadership over the last 78 years. The legacy they leave behind is large, and the Guild will never lose sight of that as we continue to connect, advocate for and support our war widows.

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July wellbeing tips for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:55:36 +0000

Sharing our latest wellbeing tips for war widows, defence and veteran families

There are benefits in slowing down long enough to notice what we’re actually feeling. For war widows, defence and veteran families, life can move at a pace that leaves little room for reflection, and the weight of grief, service, or change can make emotions harder to name. But this doesn’t mean we can’t find our way back to ourselves.

This month’s tips, drawn from our latest Wellbeing Newsletter, invite you to explore awe and wonder through Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, and to practice RAIN meditation as a way of meeting yourself with compassion.

Finding awe and wonder in everyday life

In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown describes awe as the feeling of encountering something vast that expands our perspective, while wonder invites gentle curiosity and noticing. These emotions are essential to the human experience and lead to moments of learning, connection, and meaning-making. When life gets tough, awe and wonder serve as a powerful reminder that glimmers of beauty and life can still be found even in the darkest of spaces and times.

Researchers have found that awe and wonder encourage us to value what often goes unnoticed in everyday routines such as the warmth of the sun on our back on a cold winter’s day, the stillness and resilience of nature with each passing season, the vibrations of music in our bodies, the way our senses can recall distant memories when stimulated, and the kindness of a stranger who smiles a simple hello. Simple practices such as short pauses, mindful walks, creative expression, or reflective conversations can help gently open space for these feelings without pressure or expectation. These quiet glimmers when noticed, can support growth, change, and overall wellbeing.

How awe sits alongside grief

Awe and wonder do not take away from pain or struggle. Rather they sit alongside and offer a moment of grounding and redirection where the body can soften and the mind open to new perspectives. This approach supports healing in a quiet, compassionate way allowing space for pause to reground and zoom out to allow the bigger picture to appear. If you are interested in exploring these ideas further, please register and come along to our next online writing through grief activity. To explore this topic further, view this article.

Self-care through meditation

We may all experience feelings of stress, anger, overwhelm and anxiety. We can also experience negative thoughts about ourselves, our feelings or our experiences. But it is important to remember, no matter what or how we are feeling, we all deserve our own compassion and care. RAIN meditation is a mindfulness exercise, that you can use in difficult or stressful times. The acronym RAIN, stands for Recognise, Allow, Investigate and Nurture.

RAIN meditation can help you focus on the present moment and cope with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. This exercise supports us to find self-compassion and learn how to be kind to ourselves. It can help when we encounter challenging experiences and assist us to use a mindful and non-judgmental approach.

Working through the four steps

To begin this exercise, you may lay down or sit in a comfortable position, in a quiet environment. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Next, follow the steps below:

Recognise: Recognise your feelings, thoughts and physical sensations in the present moment. Identify and name your feelings silently or out loud to yourself.
Allow: Allow your thoughts, feelings and sensations to exist, come and go. Let go of any judgement you may be holding towards them. It is okay to feel however you feel in that moment, and you can tell yourself, “This is how I feel right now and that is okay”.
Investigate: Investigate where these thoughts and feelings are coming from, and what are they trying to communicate. Investigate your vulnerable thoughts and reflect on what they need, such as forgiveness, acceptance, belonging and love.
Nurture: Be kind towards yourself, your thoughts and your experiences. Give yourself comforting messages such as, “You are okay” or “I am worthy”. Think of friends, family members, pets or spiritual figures and imagine their love flowing towards you. Allow yourself to let in healing and compassion until you feel calmed and grounded.

To finish this exercise, take three more deep breaths and continue to be kind and mindful to yourself through the day. It is okay if you find this exercise hard, confronting or uncomfortable at first. If this exercise brings up feelings too big or overwhelming, it is okay to pause. It can sometimes be hard to engage in self-care, however, by regularly doing this exercise, even for short amounts of time, it may facilitate healing, self-love and compassion.

To find out the latest wellbeing tips or find a free wellbeing activity, please subscribe to our Wellbeing Newsletter.

You can also find all of our wellbeing tips, practical information sheets and guides to support you and your family’s wellbeing, visit our Resource Hub today.

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Online decluttering workshop for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:08:43 +0000

Decluttering made doable: workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families

A tidier space can do a lot for how we feel. This online wellbeing activity offers practical, doable strategies to help you sort, organise, and let go. On Thursday 10 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our decluttering workshop from home, alongside others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Decluttering workshop

Join us online via Zoom for a 60-minute decluttering workshop led by Amy Revell of The Art of Decluttering. Amy will walk through an overview of decluttering, with practical strategies for both organising your space and letting go of what you no longer need. It’s a friendly, no-pressure session you can join from the comfort of home.

There is no cost to attend, and this is an adults-only activity. Whether you’re facing a particular project or just want somewhere to start, you’ll come away with useful tools and the chance to connect with others in the defence and veteran community.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I appreciate opportunities to learn new things, develop practical skills, and prioritise self-care and wellbeing in a supportive and welcoming environment.”

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).
Date: Thursday 10 September 2026.
Time: 7pm – 8pm (AEST).

Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

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