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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In the quiet moments before ANZAC Day, a gathering takes place that gives families, especially war widows, chance to remember in their own way. The ANZAC Field of Remembrance is not just a ceremony—it’s a space where people can pause and lay a tribute for someone they loved. It offers a moment to honour lives lived, and service given, in a way that is both shared and personal.

Held on 23 April 2025, the ANZAC Field of Remembrance returned to the grounds of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney. Now in its 73rd year, the Field of Remembrance continues to give families the opportunity to mark the legacy of service in a way that speaks directly to their experience. The service at St Andrew’s Cathedral was livestreamed for members and supporters across the country. It included the laying of wooden crosses, hymns, readings and a minute’s silence.

A place for war widows and veteran families to reflect

Those in attendance included members of the Families of Veterans Guild, Defence representatives, clergy and community figures. Together, they stood with widows and families who live with the loss of someone who served. The Field of Remembrance began in 1952, when Mrs C.J. Pope, widow of Rear-Admiral C.J. Pope RAN, organised the first service with the support of War Widows NSW. It was inspired by a similar tradition she saw in London. Since then, the Field has been held in Sydney every year, offering a way to mark service and sacrifice through a simple, quiet act.

That act remains powerful. Each cross laid in the Field represents someone remembered: a life, a story, and the people who carry that memory.

Regional and virtual participation: keeping remembrance accessible

In addition to the service in Sydney, ANZAC Field of Remembrance gatherings were also held in regional communities across New South Wales. Guild members gathered in towns including Coffs Harbour, Albury, Goulburn, Laurieton and Nowra, each creating their own local Field to reflect together and honour their loved ones. These gatherings continue to be an important part of our broader purpose: ensuring that commemoration is accessible and meaningful no matter where war widows and veteran families live.

To ensure members of our community from around the country can be involved, the Guild continues to offer ways for people to participate no matter where they live. This year, war widows and families could request a wooden cross to be laid with their tribute on their behalf at the Field in Sydney or take part in the Virtual Field of Remembrance by placing a tribute online. The livestream remains a key way to connect those who cannot be there in person.

The Field was again displayed at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, creating a visible space of reflection and respect for the all community.

The link between the Field of Remembrance and ANZAC Day is significant. While ANZAC Day is about national remembrance, the Field provides a moment for personal tribute. For many widows and families, it is a time to reflect, speak a name, and remember someone they knew and loved. It reminds us that behind every name on a memorial is a family who continues to remember.

As our President said at this year’s service, “We gather here not only to remember, but to continue. To continue honouring, to continue telling their stories, and to continue supporting each other.”

This is what the Field of Remembrance offers: a way to mark remembrance that is personal, honest, and shared. To everyone who took part— whether in Sydney, online, or quietly at home—thank you for remembering and for standing with families who continue to carry these stories.

View this year’s tribute video and lay your tribute in our virtual field.

The post 73rd ANZAC Field of Remembrance first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

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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