Defence families events - Families of Veterans Guild

Wellbeing walk and lunch in Sydney for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:28:48 +0000

War widows, defence and veteran families — join us for fresh air and good company

This wellbeing activity brings a morning outdoors, walking through the gardens, finished with lunch by the harbour. On Friday 17 July 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can come along to our wellbeing walk and lunch for fresh air, easy company and connection through one of Sydneys most popular gardens.

Wellbeing walk and lunch

This 60-minute wellbeing walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney will be followed by lunch and a drink at a cafe. We will meet at 11 am at Piccolo Me, near the Macquarie Street entrance to the gardens — look for the yellow umbrellas. The gardens are easy to reach from Martin Place, Circular Quay, Wynyard, or Town Hall stations.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “It was such a lovely morning getting outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, and connecting with other defence families.”

Event information

Location: Meet at Piccolo Me, Royal Botanic Gardens, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW.
Date: Friday 17 July 2026.
Time: 11am – 1pm.
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.

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Cake and coffee catch up for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 23:21:47 +0000

War widows, defence and veteran families — meet others who understand

Have a relaxed morning of conversation and connection at our cake and a coffee catch up wellbeing activity. On Wednesday 22 July 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join us in Dickson for a slice of cake and cuppa, plus the chance to catch up with other families.

Cake and coffee catch up

We will go to Café Stepping Stone in Dickson, where you can connect, have a chat, and catch up with others in the defence and veteran community over a slice of cake and a coffee of your choice. There is no better way to have conversations than over cake and coffee!

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “It was special to reconnect with familiar faces, share stories across generations, and enjoy meaningful conversations in such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

Event information

Location: Cafe Stepping Stone,8 Hawdon Pl, Dickson ACT.
Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am.
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.

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Monthly cook & connect: veteran family dinner online

Kelly Taylor — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:55:01 +0000

Join our monthly online family dinner for war widows, defence and veteran families

Pull up a chair at one of our most loved wellbeing activities — our monthly cook and connect: veteran family dinner. Running on Thursday evenings from July to November 2026, cook along with other families across Australia from your own kitchen, share a meal, and enjoy some good conversation over Zoom. You are free to join us for any months dinner or all five!

Cook & connect: veteran family dinner online

War widows, defence and veteran families are invited to get together and join our social work team over Zoom to cook, chat, and enjoy a meal together from home. Each registered household will receive a $20 Coles gift card to help with ingredients, and a Mingle all-natural seasoning sachet that makes cooking simple. Each recipe is designed to feed four people (with leftovers for smaller households).

Registrations open six weeks before each session and close two weeks before. Please register once per household for each session you are attending.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “Thank you for organising the activity, it was a wonderful experience for our family to connect and have fun together.”

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (Zoom link will be sent to you).
Dates:

- Thursday 30 July 2026
- Thursday 27 August 2026
- Thursday 24 September 2026
- Thursday 29 October 2026
- Thursday 26 November 2026

Times: 5.30pm – 6.30pm (AEST/AEDT)

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.

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Indemnity waiver

By registering and participating in the virtual Veteran Family Dinner hosted by Families of Veterans Guild, at any location in Australia or virtually, I, the registered participant, hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions;

Assumption of Risk: I understand that participating in cooking activities involve certain inherent risks, including but not limited to; cuts, burns, slips, falls, allergic reactions, and other risks associated with cooking activities, knives, heat, and other dangerous tools. I personally assume these risks when participating in this activity.

Medical Condition: I certify that I am physically fit and able to participate in the cooking activity. I agree to inform the facilitator of any medical conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions that may affect my ability to safely participate.

Release of Liability: I hereby release and discharge Australian War Widows NSW Ltd (trading as Families of Veterans Guild), its facilitators, employees, directors, members or managers from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or any property belonging to me while participating in the cooking class.

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Monthly meditation sessions for Townsville veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:23:03 +0000

Take a breath with monthly guided meditation for defence and veteran families

Take a breath and book in for our monthly meditation sessions at Inner Light Meditation Centre in Townsville, running from July through to December 2026. This wellbeing activity is made for defence and veteran families to enjoy, so come along to to any session or all of them — whatever fits your schedule.

Breathwork and meditation sessions

The sessions introduce practical mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation techniques that support wellbeing, emotional regulation, and nervous system balance.

Attendees will take part in a guided breathing practice followed by a short meditation, while learning foundational mindfulness skills focused on attention, grounding, and present moment awareness.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities have said “It is a safe and supportive opportunity to try something new, connect with others, and take time to breathe, reflect, and focus on personal wellbeing.”

Event information

Location: Inner Light Meditation Centre, Stanton House, Level 1, 197 Flinders Street, Townsville.
Available dates:

- Wed 29 July 2026.
- Wed 19 August 2026.
- Wed 23 September 2026.
- Wed 21 October 2026.
- Wed 18 November 2026.
- Wed 16 December 2026.

Time: 5.45pm – 7pm.

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.

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Online Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) workshop for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:43:03 +0000

Tension and Trauma Release Exercises for war widows, defence and veteran families

Take part in our online Tension and Trauma Release Exercise (TRE) workshop, running across three Wednesday evenings starting 5 August 2026. Attendance at all three sessions is required to complete the program. This wellbeing activity will teach you practical ways to release tension and support your wellbeing from home, anywhere across Australia!

Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) workshop

War widows, defence and veteran families are invited to join Richmond, the National TRE Coordinator of Australia, for a three-week online program of Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE). Running on Wednesdays 5, 12, and 19 August, Richmond will guide participants with a gentle, body-based practice designed to help release deep muscular tension, calm the nervous system, and support overall emotional and physical balance.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “These sessions became a powerful tool for releasing tension, reducing stress, and helping me feel supported, relaxed, and connected with others.”

Event information

Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).
Date: Wednesday 5, 12, 19 August 2026 (attendance at all three sessions is required).
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm (AEST).
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.

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Waiver:

By attending all three online sessions, participants acknowledge that TRE is a self-care and wellbeing activity, not a therapeutic or clinical treatment, and that they will engage at their own pace, listening to their body’s limits and needs.

Participants accept that the workshop is intended to help them learn new skills and strategies to support their wellbeing, including techniques for recognising and releasing tension held in the body, while also encouraging the development of an intentional, ongoing self-care practice. Participants understand that participation is voluntary, they may pause or stop at any time, and they are responsible for ensuring their physical environment is safe and suitable for movement during the sessions.

This is a 3 week program.

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Sound immersion session for Adelaide veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 29 May 2026 04:23:37 +0000

Experience sound immersion: free session for defence and veteran families

Unwind and recharge at our upcoming sound immersion at Yoga Spirit Studios in Torrensville on Friday 26 June 2026. This wellbeing activity is designed exclusively for defence and veteran families, so they can press pause on the week and enjoy a calm, restorative space.

Sound immersion session

This 90min sound immersion uses a blend of gongs, singing bowls, chimes, drums, flute, and vocal toning to guide you into a meditative state that supports stress reduction, improved wellbeing, and deep rest.

No experience needed, simply come along and relax in a comfortable position.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “Immersed in soothing soundscapes and new connections, I found myself losing track of time in a space that felt both tranquil and warmly welcoming.”

Event information

Location: Yoga Spirit Studios, 194 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville SA.
Date and Time: Friday 26 June 2026, 4.30pm – 6pm (arrival at 4:15pm to set up).
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.

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