Families of veterans - Families of Veterans Guild

Exhibition at Geelong Gallery for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:15:04 +0000

A gallery exhibition morning for war widows, defence and veteran families

We’re bringing a wellbeing activity to Geelong for the first time! On Monday 10 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our gallery walk through the Impressionists at Geelong Gallery for a relaxed morning among the paintings with others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Discovering the Impressionists exhibition at Geelong Gallery

We’re excited to host our first wellbeing activity in Geelong. Join us at Geelong Gallery for a one-hour gallery walk exploring the Discovering the Impressionists and Claude Monet and Australian Impressionism exhibitions. Entry to the exhibition is included. After the walk, we will head to 17by4 cafe for a coffee together. It’s a relaxed way to explore somewhere new and connect with others in the defence and veteran community.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “The walk provided a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect with other defence spouses, and enjoy meaningful conversations along the way.”

Event information

Location: 55 Little Malop St, Geelong VIC.
Date: Monday 10 August 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.

Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

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Wellbeing walk and lunch for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:06:28 +0000

Lakeside walk and lunch for war widows, defence and veteran families

Join us for a relaxing lakeside stroll and lunch together with this wellbeing activity in Belconnen. On Friday 21 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our wellbeing walk and lunch along Lake Ginninderra for easy exercise and good company with others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Wellbeing walk and lunch

Join us at Kiln at Belco Arts for a wellbeing walk of about 60 minutes along Lake Ginninderra. The route is paved and flat, and it’s pram and wheelchair friendly, so everyone can take part comfortably. After the walk, we will return to Kiln at Belco Arts for lunch together.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed spending time outdoors, exploring somewhere new, getting fresh air and gentle exercise, and connecting with others who understand my lifestyle and experiences.”

Event information

Location: Meet at Kiln at Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT.
Date: Friday 21 August 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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Nervous system regulation for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 22:00:33 +0000

An evening to settle and reset for war widows, defence and veteran families

Feeling stretched thin, wired, or stuck in go-mode? This wellbeing activity is a chance to slow down and give your body a chance to reset. On Monday 10 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our nervous system regulation workshop in Belmont for an evening of practical techniques to help you find some calm.

Nervous system regulation workshop

Join us at Yo-T Yoga & Occupational Therapy in Belmont for a 90-minute workshop that blends education with practices designed to help your body settle and reset. Guided by Sara, a senior occupational therapist and yoga instructor, you will be introduced to breathwork and body awareness, grounding and orienting practices, and simple regulation strategies. You will also learn a little about the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and why a sense of safety matters.

The workshop is ideal for anyone feeling stressed, fatigued, or emotionally overloaded — running in survival mode, struggling to switch off, or constantly on the go. You’re welcome to sit on a yoga mat, bolster, cushion, or chair. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water.

Event information

Location: Yo-T Yoga & Occupational Therapy, 4/130 High St, Belmont VIC 3216.
Date: Monday 10 August 2026.
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm (arrive at 5.45pm).
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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Greeting cards workshop for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 06:39:07 +0000

Crafting your own greeting cards for war widows, defence and veteran families

This wellbeing activity brings an afternoon of hands-on creativity, where you can make your own handmade cards to keep or share. On Saturday 1 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our greeting cards workshop in Weston for a relaxed, social afternoon.

Greeting cards workshop

Join us at the Weston Creek Community Centre for a hands-on cardmaking workshop, run in collaboration with Solid Rock Defence Ministry. Guided by facilitator Sharon, you will create two handmade greeting cards and learn a range of cardmaking techniques along the way. There’s plenty of room to make each design your own, choosing from different colour combinations and decorative elements.

All materials, tools and afternoon tea are provided is included, and there is no cost to attend.

Event information

Location: Solid Rock Defence Ministry, Weston Creek Community Centre, Parkinson St, Weston ACT.
Date: Saturday 1 August 2026.
Time: 2.30pm – 4.30pm.
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.

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Veterans and their families deserve better

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:29:24 +0000

Concerns grow over new allied health policy

The Government’s proposed $5,000 cap on allied health care has caused great concern to veteran families and members of Families of Veterans Guild. This proposal will result in 25,000 veterans, war widows and families being worse off, with critical, lifesaving care such as psychology and chronic pain management directly affected.

The Government maintains that most veterans will be better off under this policy. What isn’t being said is that those with the highest care needs, already some of the most vulnerable in our community, will face additional barriers to accessing the care they rely on. The detail of what those barriers will look like, and how onerous they will be, remains unknown, as there has been no consultation on this policy and none is planned until August. For an already anxious community, that is a long time to wait for answers.

There are several issues with this policy. It falls short of the commitment Government has made to veterans and their families. It also penalises veterans and widows for the over-charging practices of a small number of providers, rather than addressing those practices directly. And it offers little real benefit in exchange for a meaningful loss: higher provider fees are traded for strict limits on the number of sessions available.

This policy will make allied health care harder to access; care that is intended to help veterans, their families and war widows manage mental health conditions and chronic pain. Census data shows veterans are four times more likely than the general population to live with a long-term health condition, including arthritis and mental illness. When these conditions go unmanaged, the pressure on veteran families increases further; veteran families are already twice as likely as the general population to experience a mental health condition, and veterans face a significantly higher risk of suicide than the broader community.

Placing limits on the very services that help veterans manage the long-term effects of their service, and help war widows manage the trauma left behind, is difficult to reconcile with the gratitude we owe as a nation. It will also place a greater caring burden on families more broadly. Where allied health care is delayed, reduced, or made uncertain, it is families who will be left to fill the gap – 25,000 times over.

Let’s call this policy out for what it is – a cost cutting measure. A policy genuinely focused on over-servicing would target the small number of providers responsible, not 25,000 vulnerable veterans and widows.

We continue to advocate for this policy to be scrapped and are working through the detail closely. We want to acknowledge the Senators on the Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee who share these concerns and have stood with our community on this issue.

You can help by writing to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, and to your local Federal Members of Parliament and Senators, to stand up for what is right.

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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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