Remembrance Day is a time to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served to protect Australia’s freedoms and values. It is also a moment for families to pause together, honour the cost carried through generations, and reflect on the lives forever changed by service.
Through November, and on Remembrance Day itself, communities gathered at services and ceremonies to reflect, lay wreaths, and wear their poppies to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have died in wars and armed conflicts.
The Guild was represented at commemorations across New South Wales, with tributes laid on behalf of war widows, defence and veteran families, ensuring that families had the opportunity to contribute in remembering their loved ones. Below is an overview of some of the events where members, staff and Board Directors paid tribute.
War widows and veteran families represented at Remembrance Day services
On 9 November, President Queen Dunbar attended the NAJEX Remembrance Day Commemoration at the Sydney Jewish Museum, hosted by the NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women. It was a moving ceremony shared with parliamentary colleagues, local Mayors and Councillors, ADF personnel, faith leaders and members of the Jewish community. Queen laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families and delivered an address sharing her personal experience as a war widow and the work of our organisation in supporting war widows and veteran families.
Also on 9 November, member Dianne Vogt represented the Guild at the St Andrew’s Cathedral Remembrance Sunday Service, commemorating 107 years since the signing of Armistice. The service included a procession of flags and the laying of wreaths, with Di laying a wreath during the ceremony. The cathedral service included hymns and prayers from their choir, providing a reflective environment.
Our CEO Renee Wilson was honoured to attend the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, as the only representative/organisation laying a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families in NSW. The service took place in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the Governor-General of Australia, the Governor of New South Wales, and senior members of the veteran and defence community. Renee had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne at the ceremonial parade for the Royal Australian Corps of Signals Centenary which followed the Sunday service.
On 11 November, Remembrance Day, CEO Renee Wilson attended the Government of NSW Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. This official service brought together government representatives, veterans, and community members to pause and reflect at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Renee laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. RSL NSW once described this commemoration as a moment to reflect on the bravery and dedication of the armed forces.
At Chatswood, Board Director Michelle Carr represented the Guild at the Chatswood RSL Remembrance Day Commemorative Service in the Garden of Remembrance on Albert Avenue, hosted by the Chatswood-Willoughby ANZAC Dawn Service & Commemoration Committee. Michelle laid a wreath during the ceremony, ensuring the presence of war widows and families was acknowledged.
At the Mounties Remembrance Day Service in Mount Pritchard, Members Judy Cole and Veronica Ven der Padt from the Macarthur Region attended on behalf of the Guild. Both members were supportive in attending the service even with late notice, and Judy laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and families of veterans.
Many members in the area gathered to honour those who served at The Entrance & Long Jetty RSL Remembrance Day Service, with member Joyce Mason laying a wreath on behalf of war widows.
Member Merle Kelly attended the Wodonga RSL Remembrance Day Service at Woodland Grove, laying a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. During the service, members of the public were also invited to lay a wreath in remembrance.
Thank you to all members who represented war widows and veteran families this Remembrance Day. View photo’s of the commemorations held on this year’s Remembrance Day below.
