Families of Veterans Guild

Media release – The Families of Veterans Guild responds to ‘Scrap the Cap’ campaign success

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:50:47 +0000

The Families of Veterans Guild says today’s backdown on the proposed $5,000 veteran allied health threshold is a direct result of sustained community pressure, but the fight to protect veteran health care is not over.

Sydney, 17 September 2026 – The Federal Government has today abandoned its proposed $5,000 annual threshold on allied health services for Veteran Card holders, confirming the associated increase to allied health provider fees announced in the 2026–27 Budget will proceed without the threshold attached. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs said the Government had been listening to concerns raised through consultation and was, “taking the proposed $5,000 threshold off the table.”

Alongside many other people and organisations in the veteran community, the Families of Veterans Guild (the Guild) has campaigned against the cap since it was first announced on 12 May 2026, warning it would leave the community’s most vulnerable people, including ageing war widows managing chronic conditions and families of veterans with complex health needs like children of deceased service members, worse off. Since then, the Guild has briefed and met with parliamentarians across the political divide, engaged directly with Senators Jacqui Lambie, David Pocock and David Shoebridge, stood alongside advocates including Phillip Thompson OAM MP, taken the issue to national media including Sky News and ABC Radio Sydney, and written to every member of the House of Representatives and the Senate calling for the cap to be scrapped.

“This is what happens when a community refuses to quietly accept bad policy,” said Renee Wilson, CEO of the Families of Veterans Guild. “Veterans, war widows and families told the Government very clearly that a spreadsheet limit on healthcare was no way to decide whether someone could keep seeing their physiotherapist or psychologist, and today the Government has listened. That is a win for every person who wrote a letter, made a call, or shared their story over the past four months.”

The Guild recognises that this outcome reflects the effort of the whole veteran community, including the Coalition of Veterans’ Voices, Senator Lambie’s cross-bench bill, and the many veterans, widows and families who added their voices to the campaign.

Today’s statement leaves open how the Government intends to protect system integrity and manage over-servicing without a numerical cap, and how the removal of the 12-session treatment cycle, which is still proceeding, will work in practice. The Guild will continue to engage with the DVA through the current consultation, closing 30 October 2026, to ensure whatever replaces the cap is simple, transparent, and does not shift new administrative burden onto unwell veterans, widows and families. Furthermore, war widows and the children of deceased veterans must not be overlooked in any future design.

“Scrapping the cap is the right call, and the Government deserves credit for listening,” Ms Wilson said. “But our community will keep watching closely as this policy is redesigned, because the same principle applies: veterans, war widows and veteran families should never have to fight this hard for care they have already earned.”

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Mindfulness course online for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:47:50 +0000

Six weeks of mindfulness: an online course for war widows, defence and veteran families

Give yourself an hour a week to slow down and learn how to be more present. This six-week wellbeing activity is a practical, evidence-based introduction to mindfulness you can join from home. With the first session on Tuesday 10 November 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can now join our mindfulness course online.

Mindfulness course

Join us online via Zoom for a six-week mindfulness course led by Lydia Vorona from Living Aware. Each one-hour session explores a different theme — from what mindfulness is and isn’t, to autopilot versus being present, the evidence-based benefits, stress physiology, and bringing mindfulness into daily life. Every week also includes two guided meditation practices and time for questions.

The course covers formal and informal practice, mindful breathing and body practices, mindful walking and eating, and the difference between responding and reacting. The content is drawn from the acclaimed eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. There is no cost to attend, and this is an adults-only activity.

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).
Dates:

- Tuesday 10 November 2026
- Tuesday 17 November 2026
- Tuesday 24 November 2026
- Tuesday 1 December 2026
- Tuesday 8 December 2026
- Tuesday 15 December 2026

Time: 7pm – 8pm (AEDT).

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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Beachside lunch and boardgames for Sydney veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:47:40 +0000

A beachside games afternoon for war widows, defence and veteran families

A little friendly competition, a good lunch, and the beach as a backdrop. This wellbeing activity at Dolls Point brings families together for a casual afternoon of games and good food. On Friday 6 November 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our beachside lunch and boardgames for a relaxed day out by the water.

Beachside lunch and boardgames

Join us at Coffee in the Park in Dolls Point for a relaxed afternoon at the beach, with plenty of chances to have fun, connect, and enjoy some friendly competition. We’ll have a range of games to choose from, including UNO, card games, Guess the Brand, Categories, Quiddler, Imposter, and Pass the Pigs. Lunch is part of the day too, so there’s time to sit back, share a meal, and spend time together in a casual beachside setting.

Lunch and games are provided, and there is no cost to attend. Children are welcome with adult supervision. One thing to note: beach tables can’t be guaranteed and, where available, don’t have back support — so the group may need to sit on picnic blankets on the grass, or you’re welcome to bring your own chair.

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 an activity and get to know some of the other attendees at the same time.”

Event information

Location: Meet outside Coffee in the Park, 179 Russell Ave, Dolls Point NSW.
Date: Friday 6 November 2026.
Time: 12pm – 2pm.
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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Trivia night for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:41:07 +0000

Online Trivia session for war widows, defence and veteran families

How’s your general knowledge? Join us online for a night of questions and a bit of friendly rivalry. This online wellbeing activity is a trivia night for all ages, played from the comfort of home. On Friday 20 November 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our trivia night for an easy, fun evening in.

You’re free to join in on your own, with a friend or with your family beside you and enjoy time with others with a chance to win a $20 Coles voucher!

Trivia night

Join us online via Zoom for a one-hour interactive trivia session hosted on Kahoot. The questions cover a mix of movies, animals, fun facts, and general knowledge, so everyone can get involved — no trivia experience needed. There’s a $20 Coles gift card up for grabs too, posted out to the winner on the night.

To join in, you’ll need to set up a free Kahoot account beforehand. We’ll share the instructions and game PIN at the start of the session. There is no cost to attend, and children are welcome to play with adult supervision. It’s a lighthearted way to spend an evening together and have a bit of fun as a family.

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 (Zoom link will be emailed to you).
Date: Friday 20 November 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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September wellbeing tips for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:14:53 +0000

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

Wellbeing often grows in the spaces where we connect — with others, with our bodies, and with the moment we’re in. It can be found in a shared story between generations, or in the courage it takes to step onto a dance floor and move to the rhythm alongside strangers. For war widows, defence and veteran families, these moments of connection and presence can offer real belonging and joy. This month’s tips, drawn from our latest Wellbeing Newsletter, explore the power of connecting across generations, and how line dancing can be a joyful, grounding form of self-care.

Connecting and supporting across generations

Having connections with peers close in age is incredibly important for physical, emotional, and mental health. But connection across generations matters just as much. Whether with family, friends, or people in the community, taking time to connect across age groups can improve wellbeing for everyone involved, offering a sense of purpose, support, and belonging.

Older generations can share stories, life experiences, and wisdom. Younger generations bring energy, new skills, and fresh perspectives. Together, these exchanges can help people navigate life’s challenges, reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, and strengthen resilience. Research shows that loneliness and isolation take a real toll on psychological and physical health, so these relationships can help buffer against those effects. This is particularly relevant for the veteran community whether talking to family or others from the veteran community. Generations that have lived through and experienced defence life and challenges can provide support, understanding, guidance and feelings of connection that is hard to find within the wider community.

Ideas to start building bonds

Here are some simple and achievable ideas to start building relationships across generations:

Looking through old and new photographs together
Sharing stories and experiences from both sides of the age spectrum
Learning new skills from each other, such as technology, crafts, or cooking
Attending community events and activities together
Scheduling regular phone or video calls, or catch-ups
Sharing common interests and passions

Connection doesn’t have to look the same for everyone — what works will depend on the individual and the relationship. Even small moments can make a meaningful, lasting difference. Every conversation, shared story, and act of togetherness helps strengthen bonds between generations. By making time to connect, we can build a strong sense of belonging, support, and wellbeing for years to come.

This month, try reaching out to a family member or someone in your community, and spend time doing an activity or sharing stories and skills. You may be surprised by what you can learn from each other.

The benefits of line dancing

Line dancing is a simple, joyful form of self-care that invites people of all ages to mindfully move, connect, and be present in the moment together. As you listen to the music and follow the sequences moving in time with those around you, your attention shifts away from thinking and into feeling as your body and breath match the rhythm of the music. The repeated steps become grounding, helping you to focus on the moment and let go of the day.

Joining a dance group asks you to be vulnerable as you take those first awkward steps not knowing the moves, laughing at missed turns, or allowing yourselves to be seen. This is all a natural part of learning.

Vulnerability, belonging, and the brave space

Brene Brown’s research into emotions highlights vulnerability as central to meaningful human experiences and reminds us that brave spaces help people show up more fully. Line dancing does not require a partner, perfection, or previous experience. Everyone faces the same direction, learns together, and moves as part of a shared rhythm.

There is comfort in being one person in a line, and confidence in realising that mistakes are part of the dance. This creates a sense of belonging without pressure to perform. For children, adults and older people alike, line dancing can support confidence, playfulness, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. It reminds you that self-care does not always need to be quiet or solitary. Sometimes, self-care looks like music, movement, laughter and the courage to step onto the floor, just as you are.

If you are interested in giving line dancing a try, check out your local pub what’s on page, local council community centre, and line dancing social media pages.

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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Reflection on the month that was: the $5,000 allied health cap for veterans

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 03:20:35 +0000

The proposed $5,000 cap on allied health services has dominated conversation across the veteran community this month. Below, our CEO Renee Wilson reflects on the debate, the advocates who have driven it, and why the Guild continues to call on the government to Scrap the Cap.

This month we saw a lot of debate around the unfair proposed $5,000 allied health cap. I want to, once again, recognise the ongoing, tireless work of the Coalition of Veterans Voices, as well as the support of cross-party advocates including Susan McDonald, Matt Canavan, Dr Anne Webster, Michael McCormack, Phil Thompson, Jacquie Lambie, Colin Boyce and David Shoebridge. Thanks to your work, the media cycle has continued to gather momentum around the cap, and our community’s voices have been heard.

A special thank you to Phil Thompson, Michael McCormack and Dr Anne Webster for recognising that war widows are part of this conversation in your statements and questions to parliament.

What has happened this month is a boiling over of the veteran community’s frustration: we’ve had enough of not being heard by our Minister and our government. In my 16+ years working in this space I have never seen our community come together in the way they have around this issue. We are roaring at the government with one unified message: No to this cap, plain and simple.

Alongside the rest of the community, the Families of Veterans Guild has been speaking up about this issue and persistently calling on the government to Scrap the Cap: for the veterans we love, and our war widows who are already struggling to access the critical healthcare they deserve.

We completely agree with David Shoebridge’s reflection on this policy: it is a savings measure, returning cash to the government to compensate for allied health care providers charging closer to the market rate for their services. This is a trade off no one in the sector agreed to and one that breaks Australia’s promise to look after veterans and families.

Recently, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of the nation’s gratitude for our Vietnam veterans: he reinforced that the government honours, respects and thanks them for their service.

The clearest way to bring that statement to life is to Scrap the Cap: show our veterans, their families and war widows that you honour, respect and thank them for what they have given to Australia. They have given their health and wellbeing so that the rest of us might prosper. Pay what it takes for their healthcare and Scrap the Cap.

Sign Phillip Thompson’s Scrap the Cap petition here: https://www.philthompson.com.au/scrap-the-cap/

Sign Jacqui Lambie’s Scrap the Cap petition here: https://lambienetwork.com.au/pages/scrap-the-cap

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Nature connection walk for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:57:45 +0000

Reconnect in nature: wellbeing walk for war widows, defence and veteran families

Slow right down and reconnect — with nature, and with yourself. This wellbeing activity is a gentle, guided walk through the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, designed to help you feel present and at ease. On Friday 30 October 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our nature connection walk for a calm, mindful morning in the bush.

Nature connection walk

Join us at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary for a 90-minute guided nature connection walk — a gentle, sensory-based experience designed to help you reconnect with nature and yourself. Nature and forest therapy guide Sarah Murray-Boyd will lead you through techniques such as mindful breathing, sensory awareness, grounding, and silent observation to encourage relaxation, presence, and reflection.

There is no cost to attend. Because this is a quiet, mindful activity, it isn’t suited to young children, though infants and babies are welcome. After the walk, you’re warmly invited to keep the conversation going at Wildbark Café, where coffee is available to purchase at your own expense.

Previous attendees of 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: Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, 25 Rosenberg St, Throsby ACT 2914.
Date: Friday 30 October 2026.
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm.
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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Sound immersion session for Sydney veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:57:08 +0000

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

Set aside a couple of hours to switch off and let the sound do the rest. This wellbeing activity at Cronulla offers an hour of deep relaxation, followed by a coffee by the beach. On Saturday 24 October 2026, defence and veteran families can join our sound immersion session for a calm, restorative morning.

Sound immersion

Join us at Heart and Soul Yoga in Cronulla for a sound immersion session led by Bianca Teremi, a UNSW-approved music tutor and certified yoga instructor. You’ll lie still on the floor for around 60 minutes while a variety of calming sounds, including crystal singing bowls, move through the room to promote relaxation and wellness. Afterwards, we’ll head to a local cafe for a coffee or tea together.

The session and coffee are included, and there is no cost to attend. Children aged 10 and over are welcome with adult supervision. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat and a small blanket or jacket to stay warm while you rest.

A couple of things to note: the studio is up two flights of stairs and there is no lift. Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can start promptly at 11 am. Cronulla gets busy on weekends, so allow plenty of time to park and walk to the studio — the Croyden Street Carpark has unlimited parking on the top level.

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: Heart and Soul Yoga, 1/57 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230 (the studio is located up 2 flights of stairs, no lift is available).

Date: Saturday 24 October 2026.

Times: 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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80 years of stories: Aileen Watkins OBE

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:38:22 +0000

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 from Jessie Vasey CBE OBE —that war widows did not need charity, they needed rights, independence, and one another — and a small number of women prepared to do the work.

Aileen Watkins OBE was one of those women. She would go on to lead the Guild in NSW for twenty-one years, the longest presidency in our history. Her story is one of stewardship: of taking something fragile and new, and transforming it to something lasting.

As we mark 80 years, hers is a story worth telling in full.

A widow, and a weaver

Aileen Watkins was a war widow. She understood, from her own life, what the women around her were carrying, and she never mistook the work for anything other than what it was.

She was also a weaver, and it was through craft that she first shaped the Guild. In the earliest years, handicraft was not a hobby. It was the practical heart of the Guild’s philosophy: a way for widows to earn, to gain confidence, and to sit alongside other women who understood. Aileen was engaged as a permanent weaving instructor and became closely associated with the development of the Guild’s weaving school at the Drill Hall.

She did the unglamorous work that made things possible. She used her craft networks to secure looms. She travelled to Melbourne to take lessons from expert teachers, and in 1948 completed an advanced weaving course at the Victorian Guild so she could bring that skill home. She built a library of instruction and pattern books for students, so that knowledge would stay with the Guild and not walk out the door with any one teacher.

It was a quality that defined her whole contribution: she thought about what would last.

Becoming President

Aileen wanted to be President. In the record of these careful, self-effacing women, that ambition stands out, and there is nothing to apologise for in it. She stood for the role in 1949 and served briefly before Jean Cunningham was elected. In 1952 she was elected again, and this time she stayed.

She led the NSW Guild from 1952 to 1973 — twenty-one unbroken years. During that time she also served as National Vice-President and, on occasion, as Acting National President.

Those two decades were the years in which the Guild grew from an idea into an institution. Membership expanded. The network of Guild Clubs spread across the state, giving country and city widows alike a place to belong. And the Guild built real, permanent homes for women who had been left adrift after the war.

Aileen led through the change without losing sight of why any of it mattered.

The partnership that built the houses

No account of these years is complete without Una Boyce OBE AM. From 1961 to 1973, Watkins and Boyce worked side by side, and the Guild’s records describe them as a forceful partnership. Together, the President and her trusted colleague gave the Guild the steadiness and drive it needed to take on its most ambitious work.

Housing was the clearest measure of that work. When Aileen Watkins was honoured by the Queen in 1966, appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, her citation read “particularly for services in the field of housing.” For an organisation that had started with nine bedsitting rooms, that recognition was, in itself, a marker of how far the Guild had come.

She received a Coronation Medal in 1953, and in 1966 it was Sir Roden Cutler, then Governor of NSW and a Guild Patron, who spoke of the pleasure it gave him to invest her with the OBE.

Aileen understood exactly what the honour meant, and who it belonged to. Acknowledging it, she said the leaders of many ex-service organisations had stressed that it “will add prestige to our Guild and I am sure we will go on to bigger and better things.” Then she added the line that says the most about her:

“I love the Guild and feel it is something well worthwhile working for.”

The way she led

Those who worked with Aileen Watkins remembered a leader of real presence. She presided over the Guild’s meetings without notes, and she was known for a remarkable memory. One member, Merle Dwyer, recalled that at annual meetings she would memorise every person’s title, every military and naval detail, and “never, ever made a mistake.”

She carried herself with a distinctive elegance — she was rarely seen without one of her magnificent hats — but those closest to her spoke of something deeper than style. Her friend Maureen Giddings described her as “absolutely charming, a very warm person, very intelligent, very sensible, very caring,” and said she “cared very deeply for the work of the War Widows’ Guild.” To Giddings, Aileen was “the glowing example” of what the Guild stood for.

A place of honour

Aileen Watkins stepped down as President in November 1973, on her doctors’ advice, after nearly three decades of service to the Guild. She died on 28 July 1982.

Una Boyce, who had worked alongside her for so long, wrote in the Guild Digest that Aileen would keep a place of honour in the history of women’s achievements in this country. Her “dignity, her charm, her integrity, her sense of humour, her sense of occasion,” Boyce wrote, “all these qualities and more helped to establish the Guild as the organisation we are so proud of today.”

Why her story matters today

The Guild that Aileen Watkins led is not a distant thing. It is the same Guild, carried forward.

The principle she gave 21 years to is the principle we still hold. In 80 years it has not narrowed but widened. Today the Families of Veterans Guild extends that same support, voice, and connection to war widows, defence and veteran families across Australia, because the need for connection, advocacy, and support continues across generations.

We are not moving beyond the women who founded us. We are extending what they built. When we honour someone like Aileen Watkins, we are not only looking back at a long and generous life. We are recognising the foundation we still stand on.

She thought about what would last. 80 years on, we are the proof that it did.

Together We Still Stand — 80 years of bringing out the best in each other.

Aileen Watkins’ story is drawn from No Peacetime Cinderellas: A History of the War Widows’ Guild of Australia in New South Wales 1946–2006 by Roslyn Burge, the Guild’s commissioned history.

Throughout our anniversary year we are sharing the stories of the war widows who built this organisation. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear from you.

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Introduction to gardening online for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:56:51 +0000

Get growing with an introduction to gardening for war widows, defence and veteran families

Whether you’ve got a backyard, a balcony, or a single pot on the windowsill, this online wellbeing activity will help you get growing with confidence. On Thursday 15 October 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our introduction to gardening session for a practical evening of tips whilst learning and connecting alongside others!

Introduction to gardening

Join us online via Zoom for a two-hour introduction to gardening led by Melanie Thompson from Garden Nerds. The session covers the essentials — why gardening is good for us, where to find reliable information, types of plants and where they come from, and the basics of sun, soil, and water. Melanie will also walk through assessing your site, planning your space, and managing weeds, pruning, pests, and diseases, with plenty of time for questions throughout.

Afterwards, you’ll be sent the Zoom recording, a summary of notes with answers to any questions not covered on the night, and a copy of the slides. If you’d like to keep the conversation going, you can also join the Nerds in the Know Facebook page to ask questions down the track. There is no cost to attend, and this is an adults-only activity.

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).
Date: Thursday 15 October 2026.
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm (AEDT).

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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