ANZAC Day is a time to remember the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women — and the sacrifices made by their families. For war widows and veteran families, being represented at commemorations is a recognition that was hard fought for and remains deeply significant. This year, Families of Veterans Guild representatives attended services across Sydney, regional New South Wales and Victoria, ensuring that our community was seen, acknowledged and honoured at commemorations across the state.

War widows and veteran families represented at ANZAC Day services 

On 11 April, Pamela Goodhart-Dodd, Northern Beaches War Widows Social Club Coordinator, represented the Guild at the Pittwater House School ANZAC Service at Collaroy, where students, staff and community members gathered to reflect on the meaning of service.

On 13 April, President Queen Dunbar and Member Sue Doolin attended the Five Dock RSL ANZAC Day Service and Luncheon at Five Dock Park and Club Five Dock. Community members came together to honour our veterans, followed by a gathering to continue the tradition of remembrance.

On 22 April, President Queen Dunbar and CEO Renee Wilson attended the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway Service. Renee spoke at the event, highlighting the contribution of veterans and the importance of recognising the families who support them. Wreaths were laid in honour of all who have served.

On 23 April, Pamela Goodhart-Dodd participated in the RSL LifeCare Commemorative Service at Narrabeen, laying a wreath at the Montgomery Memorial Wall alongside veterans, families and residents.

On ANZAC Day itself, Guild representatives attended services across New South Wales and beyond, Board Chair Tricia Hobson and President Queen Dunbar attended the RSL NSW Dawn Service at the Martin Place Cenotaph, where the community gathered despite early rain.

Michelle Carr and her children represented the Guild at the Chatswood RSL Dawn Service, while Adele Richards attended the Medowie RSL Dawn Service, honouring local veterans and families through a wreath-laying tribute. Adele has proudly represented the organisation at previous Medowie Dawn and Remembrance Day Services, and hopes to continue doing so.

At North Ryde, Nola Hill took part in the RSL Memorial Garden service and community march. Kay Meredith and Judy Cole attended the Mounties ANZAC Day Service, while Merle Kelly represented the Guild at the Wodonga RSL Service, joining large regional turnouts across Victoria.

On the eve of ANZAC Day, President Queen Dunbar and Member Wendy McKean attended the Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute at the Sydney Opera House. Broadcast nationally, the ceremony brought together veterans, families and the wider community to mark the “going down of the sun” with stories, tributes and music.

The presence of Families of Veterans Guild representatives at these services is a reminder that the place of war widows and veteran families at commemorations was hard fought for. It continues to be important that we are visible and recognised. The ongoing support of the community, veterans and families ensures that the sacrifices of all those who served — and those who stood beside them — are not forgotten.

Thank you to all members who represented war widows and veteran families this ANZAC Day. The gravity of ANZAC Day is not only seen in formal tributes but felt deeply in the quieter, more personal moments: a veteran’s tears, a widow’s steadying hand, generations laying flowers for someone they never met. These are the moments that remind us that the freedoms we enjoy came at a cost.

As our CEO reflected, ANZAC Day is not only a time of remembrance, but of deep personal reckoning; of what is, and what could have been. It is a powerful reminder that Australia’s peace is protected by sacrifice.

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On 25 April, for ANZAC Day, representatives from the Families of Veterans Guild joined thousands in the Sydney CBD for the ANZAC Day March, walking behind a joint banner that brought together war widows and veteran families. This marked a significant moment of unity and visibility for our community.

The March, organised by RSL NSW, commenced at 9:00 am along Elizabeth Street, following the Dawn Service at Martin Place. Despite early morning rain, more than 7,000 people gathered to honour those who served and their families.

For many war widows, participating in the March is a reminder of the long journey toward recognition. Decades ago, women like Jessie Vasey fought for the right to be seen and heard in commemorations that often overlooked their sacrifices. This year, walking side by side with younger generations of veteran families, our members continued that legacy.

The joint banner symbolised not only remembrance but also the evolving identity of our organisation. Since adopting the brand name ‘Families of Veterans Guild’ last year, we’ve aimed to reflect the broader community we serve while honouring our roots. While change can be challenging, the presence of both longstanding and new members in the March demonstrated a shared commitment to ensuring that the sacrifices of war widows and veteran families are acknowledged.

Participation in the ANZAC Day March reinforces our place in the national story of service and sacrifice. It reminds us that remembrance is not only about the past but also about the ongoing support and recognition of those who continue to bear the burden of service.

View the live recap of the entire ANZAC March and view the Families of Veterans Guild marching at 3:27:00!

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The post ANZAC Field of Remembrance 2023 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

The post The 70th RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration and Inaugural Exhibition first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Join us online to commemorate 70 years of the Anzac Field of Remembrance. 

At 11.00am on Wednesday 20 April 2022, view the service from St Andrew’s Cathedral on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. 

Watch the service online from the comfort of your own home, share it with friends and family, or with your Guild or Social Club.  

We look forward to honouring and paying tribute to those who have served and gave their lives in service to our nation and their families who have sacrificed so much. 

For more information about the service, click here.

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Many of our members took the opportunity to commemorate in their own time and own personal way.

Some commemorated in the community – from a local service in Kurri Kurri, to a march in Wollongong, the Dawn service at Coogee and laying of cross at the Cenotaph at the Yass Anzac Day service, plus many others.

Others commemorated at home with the small crosses mailed to them from AWW NSW with their copy of The Digest.

We thank you for sharing these personal moments with us, and now with other members and followers.

We are so pleased that many of you valued your own time of reflection and respect for your loved ones. It is lovely to see some of you also sharing these moments with your family.

Many of us, in our own way, have taken moments of reflection and appreciation on such a significant commemorative date for our nation.

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