This year held particular significance. With the recent expansion of our services into South Australia (SA), we were proud to ensure that war widows and families in SA were represented alongside those in NSW at ANZAC commemorations. Across numerous services and two states, our members stood proudly at cenotaphs, gardens of remembrance, school halls and memorial parks. 

The commemorative activity began on Saturday 18 April at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway’s ANZAC Day service where State President Queen Dunbar laid a wreath. The next day, Queen also laid a wreath alongside member Sue Doolin at the Five Dock RSL United ANZAC Service. A moving and well attended service, with local school children participating. Sue’s family — including her son, a Timor veteran, his wife, daughter and grandchildren — stood alongside her as they do each year. 

On Wednesday 22 April, Maureen Moore represented the Guild at the RSL LifeCare ANZAC Day Commemorative Service and Veteran March at the RSL ANZAC Village in Narrabeen, where Brigadier Vincent Williams CSC (Retd.), Acting President of RSL NSW, delivered the ANZAC Address. As both a resident of the Village and a Guild member, Maureen’s presence was fitting. 

Friday 24 April brought two further services. At the Australian Remembrance Foundation’s ANZAC Tribute at the Sydney Opera House — broadcast live on 7Two and attended by thousands of people — Navy widow Jenny Ware represented our community. That same morning, veteran and member Pamela Goodhard-Dodd laid a wreath at the Pittwater House School ANZAC Day Service. 

ANZAC Day itself, Saturday 25 April, was our largest day of representation. At the NSW ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, State President Queen Dunbar laid the wreath on behalf of war widows and families of veterans, accompanied by Board Chair Tricia Hobson. Across Sydney and well beyond, our representatives stood at services as the sun rose. Michelle Carr was at Chatswood, joined by her children Mason and Monique. Adele Richards represented us at Medowie; Margaret Navas at Bigge Park, Liverpool; Nola Hill at North Ryde; Dell Barrett at Woy Woy Memorial Park; and Merle Kelly, a long-standing local attendee, at Wodonga’s Woodland Grove Cenotaph. Michelle Carr returned later that morning to lay a wreath at the Willoughby Family and Community Commemorative Service. 

In SA, Member Maria Barclay represented our community at two services on ANZAC Day — the RSL SA Dawn Service at the SA National War Memorial in Adelaide, and the RSL SA Service of Remembrance at the Cross of Sacrifice, where it has long been a custom for War Widows SA and Legacy SA to each present a tribute. Maria’s presence at these significant ceremonies marked an important moment: war widows and families in SA now have a continuing representation at their state’s most solemn occasions. 

On ANZAC Day afternoon, war widows and families of veterans joined the ANZAC Day March in Sydney. It is always a proud moment for them to march following our veterans, on such a significant day for all. 

Our final commemoration of the week took place on Tuesday 28 April, when Michelle Carr laid a wreath at the Ravenswood School for Girls ANZAC Day Commemorative Service in Gordon. 

To every representative who represented our community, laying the wreath on behalf of war widows and the families of veterans, thank you. To our members across the country, thank you: we are grateful for the privilege of standing with you. 

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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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This week, we welcomed the announcement of the NSW Government to extend ANZAC Day trading hours restrictions to cover the whole day. In October 2023 we provided members with the opportunity to share their views on the ANZAC Day trading hours laws with 44 responses received showing how strongly members feel about extending closing period to encompass the entirety of ANZAC Day. Thanks to all who participated, our Premier, Chris Minns highlighted to us the importance of your input in this consultation.

Recognition of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans

We also welcomed in July the $2 million investment to establish a memorial to honour the service and sacrifice of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans and their families in the Domain, which also resulted from a consultation we also contributed to late last year.

Your voice was heard and your input is important

These announcements demonstrate that the voice of families have been heard alongside veterans. They come off the back of two consultation processes we contributed to, raising the voices of families on both matters.

Both the extension in trading hours restrictions and the new memorial serve as an important reminder of the sacrifices that are and have been made in service of the peace, security and freedom we enjoy every day in Australia. They demonstrate the gratitude of the people of NSW to its service personnel and their families.

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