Whether you are newly widowed or navigating support systems for some time, this is an important opportunity to connect directly with DVA representatives and gain clarity on what assistance and programs are available to you.

Event details:

Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: 1:00pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom or in person at our Chatswood office
Cost: Free (registration essential)

Two ways to attend

join online via zoom

Attend from the comfort of your home. War widows across Australia are invited to join the webinar online. Once registered, you will receive a link to join us live.

Click here to register to attend online.

Join in person at the chatswood office

For those located near Sydney, we warmly invite you to join other war widows for a group viewing at the Families of Veterans Guild office in Chatswood. Afternoon tea will be served, and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the live webinar together.

Due to the size of our head office, numbers of in person participants will be capped and registration will close when capacity is reached with the possibility to go on a waitlist. Waitlisted participants will be contacted. Online participation will not be capped. 

Please note: Registration is required for both online and in-person attendance.

Click here to register to attend in Chatswood. 

About the Webinar

This webinar has been developed exclusively for war widows, to ensure that the information shared is relevant, accurate and respectful of your lived experience. You’ll hear from four DVA representatives, each covering a specific area of support and entitlements available to war widows.

After each presentation, you will have the chance to ask questions or share your thoughts during live Q&A sessions.

Meet the Panel

We are pleased to welcome the following DVA representatives:

Sharon Wardle – Income Support Branch, Client Benefits Division
Sharon will provide an overview of the income support available to eligible war widows.

Jonathan Levy – Director, Health Approvals, Payments, RAP and Transport
Jonathan will speak about transport entitlements.

Melanie Kilborn – Assistant Director of the Veterans’ Home Care and Contract Management Team
Melanie will explain how the Veterans’ Home Care program can help you remain safe and independent in your home.

Carolyn Lees – Community Nursing
Carolyn will outline the Community Nursing Program, designed to support eligible war widows with clinical care at home.

Hosted by

This session will be facilitated by Caroline Kirche, Communications & Events Manager at the Families of Veterans Guild. We are proud to present this opportunity to ensure that no war widow feels left behind when navigating their DVA entitlements.

Register Now

To attend the webinar online or in person, please register via the link below. Once registered, you will receive event details including the Zoom link or venue information for our Chatswood afternoon tea.

Click here to register to attend online.

Click here to register to attend in Chatswood. 

The post Upcoming webinar: understanding DVA entitlements for war widows first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

The War Widows Guild, founded in 1946, grew from humble beginnings into a powerful organisation under the leadership of Jessie Vasey CBE OBE. Initially a small craft guild, it soon became a force that could not be ignored by politicians, thanks to Jessies tireless efforts and visionary leadership. Her goal was clear, to ensure that the women left behind by war were not forgotten, and to fight for their rights and dignity. 

Jessie’s vision for the Guild was inspired by the changing role of women in society. She believed that the era of the dependent female was coming to an end and that Australia had a duty to care for the war widows who had sacrificed so much. She stood against the prevailing gender and social biases of her time, holding the government accountable for its promises to support these women.

Jessie’s words of encouragement, such as “THINK BIG! – Wear your prettiest hat – tell that man behind the desk he’s there to help you!” became a rallying cry for many widows, empowering them to stand up for themselves in a system that wasn’t built to support them. 

The reality for many war widows in the post-World War II era was harsh. These women, often young brides with children, were left to navigate life without their husbands. Financial insecurity was a common struggle, as the war widows pension offered little, often leaving women with less than the lowest army wage. Jessie, having lost her own husband, Major General George Vasey, in a tragic plane crash, knew this struggle all too well. Her first victory for the war widows came when she successfully fought to have her husband’s death, and the deaths of others in similar circumstances, recognised as war caused. 

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility, Jessie fought not only for her peers but for the future generations of war widows and veteran families. She secured better pensions, advocated for housing stability, and created practical initiatives like jumble sales and shops to help these women rebuild their lives. Jessie’s work was not just about financial aid, it was about restoring dignity, purpose, and hope. She inspired war widows to rise above their grief and take control of their futures, giving them the confidence to reclaim their independence. 

 Jessie Vasey’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched. Her dedication ensured that war widows would never be forgotten, and her work continues to inspire today. She transformed a group of women from a position of vulnerability into one of strength and unity, leaving an indelible mark on history. Her example is a reminder of the power of determination, resilience, and the enduring strength of women coming together to support one another.  

The post A tribute to our founder first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.