Fold, focus, connect: origami workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families

Spend a morning learning the art of paper folding at Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub on Friday 26 June 2026. This wellbeing activity is an opportunity to meet other war widows, defence and veteran families and make something with your hands, meet new faces, and take home a jar of paper hearts or stars to keep. 

Origami workshop

Families of Veterans Guild and Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub invite war widows, defence and veteran families to learn to fold paper hearts or stars and fill your own jar. This hands-on activity encourages mindfulness, focus, and relaxation. No prior experience is needed, and all materials will be provided.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I’m grateful for the chance to connect with such an amazing group. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in self-care while meeting new people and sharing experiences.” 

Event information

• Location: Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub, 251 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW.
  

• Date and Time: Friday 26 June 2026, 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

Crafting and connecting: Kokedama workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families

On Saturday 18 April, we’re having a free kokedama workshop at Solid Rock Defence Ministry — and you’re invited! This session will be facilitated by our Wellbeing Team and is open to all defence and veteran families, including war widows, spouses, carers etc.

You don’t need any experience, just come along, get your hands messy, and spend time with others who understand the unique ups and downs of defence life. You will also get to bring your awesome creation home with you afterwards.

Kokedama workshop

Families of Veterans Guild and Solid Rock Defence Ministry invite war widows and defence and veteran families to join us for our Kokedama Workshop.  

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil wrapped with string. This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through the process of craft making. Participants will go home with a kokedama plant they have created themselves. Afternoon tea will be provided during the workshop by Solid Rock Defence Ministry. 

We’ll be working with gardening soil and moss. Aprons will be provided, though we recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy. 

There is no cost for this activity. Your kokedama workshop and afternoon tea will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild and Solid Rock Defence Ministry. 

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I’m grateful for the chance to connect with such an amazing group. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in self-care while meeting new people and sharing experiences.” 

Event information

• Location: Solid Rock Defence Ministry, Weston Creek Community Centre, Parkinson St, Weston ACT 2611.
  

• Date and Time: Saturday 18 April 2026, 2.30pm – 4.30pm.
  

• Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 16 April.

• 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

Create and connect: kokedama workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families

On Friday 19 September 2025 , we’re hosting a free kokedama workshop at Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub — and you’re invited. This session is open to all defence and veteran families, including war widows, spouses, carers and adult children. 

You don’t need any experience — just come along, learn something new, and spend time with others who understand the unique ups and downs of defence life. It’s part of our Wellbeing Program, supporting peer connection and self-care. 

Kokedama workshop

Families of Veterans Guild and RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub invite war widows, defence and veteran families to join us for our Kokedama Workshop.  

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil wrapped with string. This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through the process of craft making. Participants will go home with a kokedama plant they have created themselves. Morning tea will be provided during the workshop by RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub. 

There is no cost for this activity. Your kokedama workshop will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild, and your morning tea will be covered by RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub. 

Previous attendees to Wellbeing activities said “I’m truly grateful for the chance to spend quality time with my family and peers, connecting and enjoying each other’s company. It was the perfect opportunity to recharge, relax, and have fun.” 

Event information

• Location: Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub, 251 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620.

• Date and Time: Friday 19 September 2025, 10am – 12pm. 
  

• Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 17 September.

• 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

War widows, defence and veteran families are invited to a kokedama workshop

Has any of your loved ones ever served in the Australian Defence Force? Are you connected to defence service in any way? Whether you’re the partner of a current member, a veteran spouse, parent, adult child or a widow of a veteran, we warmly invite families of veterans to join us for our Kokedama Workshop at RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub on Tuesday 8 July, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

Families of veterans and war widows make unique sacrifices during and after service. They balance the many demands of supporting a family, navigating grief and loss, relocations or adjustments, deployments or other absence from home, transition out of service or caring roles due to illness or injury. 

Social connection, peer support and self-care are at the core of our wellbeing events. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of defence life, increasing their risk of social isolation and loneliness. The purpose of this activity is to encourage the families of veterans to focus on self-care and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Kokedama workshop

This school holidays, Families of Veterans Guild and RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub invite war widows, defence and veteran families to join us for our Kokedama Workshop.  

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil wrapped with string. This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through the process of craft making. Participants will go home with a kokedama plant they have created themselves. Morning tea will be provided during the workshop by RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub. 

There is no cost for this activity. Your Kokedama workshop will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild, and your morning tea will be covered by RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub. 

Previous attendees to Wellbeing activities said “I’m truly grateful for the chance to spend quality time with my family and peers, connecting and enjoying each other’s company. It was the perfect opportunity to recharge, relax, and have fun.” 

Event information

• Location: Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub, 251 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
  

• Date and Time: Tuesday 8 July 2025, 10am – 12pm
  

• Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 6 July

• 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

Veteran families are invited to a kokedama and terracotta workshop

Has any of your loved ones ever served in the Australian Defence Force? Are you connected to defence service in any way? Whether you’re the partner of a current member, a veteran spouse, parent, adult child or a widow of a veteran, We warmly invite families of veterans to join us for our kokedama and terracotta art workshop in Chatswood on Saturday 22 February brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

Families of veterans and war widows make unique sacrifices during and after service. They balance the many demands of supporting a family, navigating grief and loss, relocations or adjustments, deployments or other absence from home, transition out of service or caring roles due to illness or injury. 

Social connection, peer support and self-care are at the core of our wellbeing events. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of defence life, increasing their risk of social isolation and loneliness. The purpose of this activity is to encourage the families of veterans to focus on self-care and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Kokedama and terracotta workshop

Defence and veteran families are invited to come together for our Kokedama and Terracotta Art workshop. Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil wrapped with string. You’ll spend time in this workshop making a plant and painting a terracotta saucer that you can take home. This event aims to support peer connection, self-care and increased wellbeing through the process of craft making. The workshop will be facilitated by social worker Gabby Steel and includes morning tea.  

Plan a fun day for the whole family and discover the vibrant north side of Sydney! Hop on the new Metro train (just a quick 14min ride from Central to Chatswood). Once you arrive, join us for a hands-on creative workshop and enjoy a delicious morning tea. Afterward, feel free to explore the lively streets of Chatswood, with its great shops, dining, and unique attractions

Kids aged 8+ are welcome to participate in the workshop! Parent supervision required during activity and parents must remain on site with their children.

There is no cost for this event. Your kokedama and terracotta art workshop and morning tea will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

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: Families of Veteran Guild, Suite 1.01, Level 1, 9 Help St Chatswood 2067 – 15min from Sydney Central on Metro!
  

• Date and Time: Saturday 22 February 10am – 12pm
  

• Registrations: Open 19 January. Registrations close 19 February

• 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.

 Families of former and current serving members are invited to a free online workshop

Has any of your loved ones ever served in the Australian Defence Force? Are you connected to defence service in any way? Whether you’re the partner of a current member, a veteran spouse, parent, adult child or a widow of a veteran, we warmly invite defence and veteran families to join us for our Clay Workshop online on Thursday 6 February, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

Families of veterans and war widows make unique sacrifices during and after service. They balance the many demands of supporting a family, navigating grief and loss, relocations or adjustments, deployments or other absence from home, transition out of service or caring roles due to illness or injury. 

Social connection, peer support and self-care are at the core of our wellbeing events. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of defence life, increasing their risk of social isolation and loneliness. The purpose of this activity is to encourage the families of veterans to focus on self-care and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Clay workshop online

Defence and veteran Families are invited to come together for clay making. Facilitated by Social Worker, Gabby Steel, and supported by Manager for Social Work and Wellbeing, Lisa Stephenson, veteran families will be guided to create art with clay. Moulding clay may provide a calming and meditative experience, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Creating art with your hands can help boost focus, mindfulness and a sense of accomplishment. Attendees will come together online to create their own unique piece of artwork to keep. 

Please have a bowl of water, sponge and towel alongside the clay kit that will be posted to you.

There is no cost for this event. Your clay kit and postage will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

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: Online via Zoom (link will be emailed to you)
  

• Date and Time: Thursday 6 February, 6.30pm – 8pm 
  

• Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 27 January

• 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.