Through November, and on Remembrance Day itself, communities gathered at services and ceremonies to reflect, lay wreaths, and wear their poppies to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. 

The Guild was represented at commemorations across New South Wales, with tributes laid on behalf of war widows, defence and veteran families, ensuring that families had the opportunity to contribute in remembering their loved ones. Below is an overview of some of the events where members, staff and Board Directors paid tribute. 

War widows and veteran families represented at Remembrance Day services 

On 9 November, President Queen Dunbar attended the NAJEX Remembrance Day Commemoration at the Sydney Jewish Museum, hosted by the NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women. It was a moving ceremony shared with parliamentary colleagues, local Mayors and Councillors, ADF personnel, faith leaders and members of the Jewish community. Queen laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families and delivered an address sharing her personal experience as a war widow and the work of our organisation in supporting war widows and veteran families. 

Also on 9 November, member Dianne Vogt represented the Guild at the St Andrew’s Cathedral Remembrance Sunday Service, commemorating 107 years since the signing of Armistice. The service included a procession of flags and the laying of wreaths, with Di laying a wreath during the ceremony. The cathedral service included hymns and prayers from their choir, providing a reflective environment. 

Our CEO Renee Wilson was honoured to attend the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, as the only representative/organisation laying a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families in NSW. The service took place in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the Governor-General of Australia, the Governor of New South Wales, and senior members of the veteran and defence community. Renee had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne at the ceremonial parade for the Royal Australian Corps of Signals Centenary which followed the Sunday service. 

On 11 November, Remembrance Day, CEO Renee Wilson attended the Government of NSW Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. This official service brought together government representatives, veterans, and community members to pause and reflect at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Renee laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. RSL NSW once described this commemoration as a moment to reflect on the bravery and dedication of the armed forces. 

At Chatswood, Board Director Michelle Carr represented the Guild at the Chatswood RSL Remembrance Day Commemorative Service in the Garden of Remembrance on Albert Avenue, hosted by the Chatswood-Willoughby ANZAC Dawn Service & Commemoration Committee. Michelle laid a wreath during the ceremony, ensuring the presence of war widows and families was acknowledged. 

At the Mounties Remembrance Day Service in Mount Pritchard, Members Judy Cole and Veronica Ven der Padt from the Macarthur Region attended on behalf of the Guild. Both members were supportive in attending the service even with late notice, and Judy laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and families of veterans. 

Many members in the area gathered to honour those who served at The Entrance & Long Jetty RSL Remembrance Day Service, with member Joyce Mason laying a wreath on behalf of war widows. 

Member Merle Kelly attended the Wodonga RSL Remembrance Day Service at Woodland Grove, laying a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. During the service, members of the public were also invited to lay a wreath in remembrance. 

Thank you to all members who represented war widows and veteran families this Remembrance Day. View photo’s of the commemorations held on this year’s Remembrance Day below. 

The post Remembrance Day 2025 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

We had representatives from our organisation representing war widows and veterans families at events across NSW, here is an overview of some of those events.

The Cenotaph, Sydney

This Monday, 11 November 2024, held a solemn Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney, where invited guests gathered to honour the sacrifices of Australia’s servicemen and women. The ceremony began at 10:30 with selected attendees laying wreaths in tribute. Our President, Queen Dunbar laid a wreath upon the Cenotaph during the commemoration alongside RSL NSW President and Sydney Legacy President. Distinguished guests included military officials and veterans, who shared moving speeches about the significance of Remembrance Day. According to the RSL NSW, this annual event is a pivotal moment to reflect on the bravery and dedication of the armed forces.

Chatswood Remembrance Day service

Chatswood-Willoughby ANZAC Dawn Service & Commemoration Committee held a heartfelt Remembrance Day Service in the Garden of Remembrance on Albert Avenue, Chatswood. During the wreath laying, one of our members Michelle Carr laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and families of veterans. This service was supported by local schools and community groups, who participated in readings and musical tributes, enhancing the communal spirit and remembrance. Community involvement in such services is crucial for keeping the memories and stories of veterans alive.

Medowie Remembrance Day service

Medowie RSL sub-Branch hosted a Remembrance Day Commemoration at Medowie Social on Ferodale Road, where members of the community gathered to pay tribute to Australia’s servicemen and women. The ceremony featured wreath laying to honour the sacrifices of those who served. One of our members Adele Richards, attended on behalf of the organisation, paying tribute on behalf of war widows and families of veterans. RSL NSW highlighted the importance of such sub-Branch events in fostering local support networks for veterans and their families.

St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney

On Sunday the 10th, St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney hosted a special service to commemorate the 106th anniversary of Armistice. With this commemoration, there was also a lovely wreath laying ceremony during which Board Director Yvonne Stapleton laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. This service, according to RSL NSW, is part of a broader effort to ensure that urban and rural communities alike have the opportunity to participate in acts of remembrance. The cathedral service included traditional hymns and prayers, providing a solemn and reflective environment.

Mounties Remembrance Day service

The Mounties Group Board of Directors held a Remembrance Day event on Monday, “the significant occasion will honour the courageous individuals who have served our nation”. Guests were encouraged to bring a wreath to lay, and our two members Dulcie Davis and Diane Carstairs attended on behalf of the Families of Veterans Guild. The event, as noted by RSL NSW, underscores how organisations beyond the RSL play a vital role in honouring veterans and supporting their families.

The Entrance & Long Jetty Remembrance Day service

Many of our members attended the Remembrance Day service at The Entrance & Long Jetty included member Joyce Mason who laid a wreath on behalf of the war widows of the area. Thanks to The Entrance Long Jetty RSL for hosting this beautiful service for our community to honour our veteran and their families that always support them. 

NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX)

On Sunday 10 November the NSW Association of Jewish Service & Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX) hosted a Jewish Communal Remembrance Day Commemoration and Wreath Laying at the NSW Jewish War Memorial (Sydney Jewish Museum) on Darlinghurst Road. The event began at 9:30 AM and included a moving occasional address by Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue. Ms. Queen Dunbar, State President of the Families of Veterans Guild, attended on behalf of the organisation and laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and veteran families. The ceremony was followed by light refreshments, fostering a moment of community and reflection among the attendees.

The Sydney War Graves Cemetery

A week before Remembrance Day, a beautiful service was held by the RSL Western Metropolitan District at one of the most serene environment within the city, the Sydney War Graves Cemetery within the Rookwood Cemetery boundary. Our President, Queen Dunbar, attended the service along with many dignitaries and laid a wreath on behalf of war widows and families. 

View photo’s of the commemorations held on this years Remembrance Day below.

The post Remembrance Day 2024 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Generations and organisations join to remember the fallen and support veteran’s families

For the first time in 69 years, Australian War Widows NSW (AWW NSW) and the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway unite to host a combined ANZAC and Field of Remembrance service to remember the fallen and commemorate the men and women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Representing Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales, Colonel Michael Miller RFD, Official Secretary to the Governor; plus The Rt Rev. Dr Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney; Rev Emily Carpenter, Anglican Chaplain Concord Hospital and Father Tom Stevens, Hon Police Chaplain and PP Mortlake will lead bible readings and prayers.

ANZAC and Field of Remembrance Service

Since 1952, the solemn and important Field of Remembrance event has been held at the St Andrews Cathedral Sydney. For the first time, the service will be held outdoors at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway due to potential risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are honoured to share our annual ANZAC service this year with the Australian War Widows NSW and unite our community in show of respect and love for those who have fallen, and their families” says Jennifer Collins, Chair, Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.

Remembering loved ones and support veteran’s families

In a moving ceremony, war widows representing major conflicts of war from WWI to Afghanistan, will place crosses in remembrance of loved ones who gave their lives in service to our nation. The Field of Remembrance service will also recognise the losses and sacrifices of war widows and their families who bare an enormous burden for Australia and their lifelong role supporting veterans who have fallen, been wounded, injured or with illness.

We are all part of the story – imparting the spirit of ANZAC to younger generations

School children from Strathfield North Public School will participate in song and join children from five other local schools, the congregation and older generations in the commemoration and service. The story of those who sacrificed their lives for future generations and the spirit of ANZAC will be shared with the younger audience.

Members of the Australian War Widows NSW and audience will be invited to participate in this moving commemorative event by planting small wooden crosses and wreaths in memory of those who have fallen.

Bringing the service to the community and distant war widows

The ANZAC and Field of Remembrance service will be livestreamed online via the Australian War Widows NSW Facebook page, YouTube channel and webpage for the entire community to participate in #AnzacAtHome.

Thousands of AWW NSW members will have a small cross mailed to each of them to write their loved one’s name on and lay at home, a local cenotaph, garden or somewhere of meaning.

“Many of our war widows live regionally or are unable to travel to commemorative events. This is our way of including as many of our community as possible, to continue the War Widows story of women helping women set by our founder Jessie Vasey 75 years ago” says Rhondda Vanzella OAM. “As a woman united by defence service and a widow of war myself, I know the burden we carry in our hearts. This stays with us always because this is our story. It is my dream as National President, that we preserve and grow the legacy Jessie Vasey and those early pioneers of this organisation worked so hard to create”.

This weekend, we will come together in person, and in spirit, to commemorate the men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. We will acknowledge and support the partners, children and families who have sacrificed and given so much to those who have served our country.

Rhondda Vanzella OAM, National and NSW State President, Australian War Widows

Jennifer Collins, Chair, Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway

21 April 2021

More information about the history of the Field of Remembrance can be found here.

The post Media Release – ANZAC & Field of Remembrance Service 2021 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.