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80 years of stories: Aileen Watkins OBE

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:38:22 +0000

Twenty-one years at the helm: Aileen Watkins OBE and the making of the Guild

Part of our 80th anniversary series, honouring the war widows who built this organisation.

When the War Widows’ Guild began in NSW in 1946, it had almost nothing. No offices of its own, no housing, no reliable income. What it had was a founding idea from Jessie Vasey CBE OBE —that war widows did not need charity, they needed rights, independence, and one another — and a small number of women prepared to do the work.

Aileen Watkins OBE was one of those women. She would go on to lead the Guild in NSW for twenty-one years, the longest presidency in our history. Her story is one of stewardship: of taking something fragile and new, and transforming it to something lasting.

As we mark 80 years, hers is a story worth telling in full.

A widow, and a weaver

Aileen Watkins was a war widow. She understood, from her own life, what the women around her were carrying, and she never mistook the work for anything other than what it was.

She was also a weaver, and it was through craft that she first shaped the Guild. In the earliest years, handicraft was not a hobby. It was the practical heart of the Guild’s philosophy: a way for widows to earn, to gain confidence, and to sit alongside other women who understood. Aileen was engaged as a permanent weaving instructor and became closely associated with the development of the Guild’s weaving school at the Drill Hall.

She did the unglamorous work that made things possible. She used her craft networks to secure looms. She travelled to Melbourne to take lessons from expert teachers, and in 1948 completed an advanced weaving course at the Victorian Guild so she could bring that skill home. She built a library of instruction and pattern books for students, so that knowledge would stay with the Guild and not walk out the door with any one teacher.

It was a quality that defined her whole contribution: she thought about what would last.

Becoming President

Aileen wanted to be President. In the record of these careful, self-effacing women, that ambition stands out, and there is nothing to apologise for in it. She stood for the role in 1949 and served briefly before Jean Cunningham was elected. In 1952 she was elected again, and this time she stayed.

She led the NSW Guild from 1952 to 1973 — twenty-one unbroken years. During that time she also served as National Vice-President and, on occasion, as Acting National President.

Those two decades were the years in which the Guild grew from an idea into an institution. Membership expanded. The network of Guild Clubs spread across the state, giving country and city widows alike a place to belong. And the Guild built real, permanent homes for women who had been left adrift after the war.

Aileen led through the change without losing sight of why any of it mattered.

The partnership that built the houses

No account of these years is complete without Una Boyce OBE AM. From 1961 to 1973, Watkins and Boyce worked side by side, and the Guild’s records describe them as a forceful partnership. Together, the President and her trusted colleague gave the Guild the steadiness and drive it needed to take on its most ambitious work.

Housing was the clearest measure of that work. When Aileen Watkins was honoured by the Queen in 1966, appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, her citation read “particularly for services in the field of housing.” For an organisation that had started with nine bedsitting rooms, that recognition was, in itself, a marker of how far the Guild had come.

She received a Coronation Medal in 1953, and in 1966 it was Sir Roden Cutler, then Governor of NSW and a Guild Patron, who spoke of the pleasure it gave him to invest her with the OBE.

Aileen understood exactly what the honour meant, and who it belonged to. Acknowledging it, she said the leaders of many ex-service organisations had stressed that it “will add prestige to our Guild and I am sure we will go on to bigger and better things.” Then she added the line that says the most about her:

“I love the Guild and feel it is something well worthwhile working for.”

The way she led

Those who worked with Aileen Watkins remembered a leader of real presence. She presided over the Guild’s meetings without notes, and she was known for a remarkable memory. One member, Merle Dwyer, recalled that at annual meetings she would memorise every person’s title, every military and naval detail, and “never, ever made a mistake.”

She carried herself with a distinctive elegance — she was rarely seen without one of her magnificent hats — but those closest to her spoke of something deeper than style. Her friend Maureen Giddings described her as “absolutely charming, a very warm person, very intelligent, very sensible, very caring,” and said she “cared very deeply for the work of the War Widows’ Guild.” To Giddings, Aileen was “the glowing example” of what the Guild stood for.

A place of honour

Aileen Watkins stepped down as President in November 1973, on her doctors’ advice, after nearly three decades of service to the Guild. She died on 28 July 1982.

Una Boyce, who had worked alongside her for so long, wrote in the Guild Digest that Aileen would keep a place of honour in the history of women’s achievements in this country. Her “dignity, her charm, her integrity, her sense of humour, her sense of occasion,” Boyce wrote, “all these qualities and more helped to establish the Guild as the organisation we are so proud of today.”

Why her story matters today

The Guild that Aileen Watkins led is not a distant thing. It is the same Guild, carried forward.

The principle she gave 21 years to is the principle we still hold. In 80 years it has not narrowed but widened. Today the Families of Veterans Guild extends that same support, voice, and connection to war widows, defence and veteran families across Australia, because the need for connection, advocacy, and support continues across generations.

We are not moving beyond the women who founded us. We are extending what they built. When we honour someone like Aileen Watkins, we are not only looking back at a long and generous life. We are recognising the foundation we still stand on.

She thought about what would last. 80 years on, we are the proof that it did.

Together We Still Stand — 80 years of bringing out the best in each other.

Aileen Watkins’ story is drawn from No Peacetime Cinderellas: A History of the War Widows’ Guild of Australia in New South Wales 1946–2006 by Roslyn Burge, the Guild’s commissioned history.

Throughout our anniversary year we are sharing the stories of the war widows who built this organisation. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear from you.

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Rise Together Initiative 2026

Kelly Taylor — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:02:42 +0000

Building career confidence for defence and veteran partners

Applications are now open for the 2026 Rise Together Initiative.

Bringing together our work supporting the careers of defence and veteran partners, we are running the Rise Together Initiative online this year as part of a two-day program. The aim of this initiative is to build the career confidence of defence and veteran partners, directly addressing the negative impacts of defence service on their careers.

Why career confidence matters for veteran families

Families of veterans make unique sacrifices when supporting their loved one, both during and after ADF service. Partners of veterans often balance the many demands of supporting family, relocations and adjustments, deployments and other absence from home, transition out of service and caring roles due to illness or injury.

Career satisfaction is an important element of wellbeing. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining their career aspirations due to the unique nature of Defence life, increasing their risk of unemployment and underemployment. Defence and veteran partners are three times more likely to be under or unemployed than the general population, and 92% of those affected are women. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage partners of current and former serving ADF members to focus on self-care and expand their careers.

What the 2026 Rise Together Initiative offers

In 2026 the Rise Together Initiative will provide up to 30 defence and veteran partners with the opportunity to undertake personal and professional development over 2 full days online:

Day one, facilitated by psychologists from People Measures: build a learning mindset, understand your values and professional brand, explore career development opportunities, and create a future-focused plan.

Day two, delivered by our qualified social workers: a morning wellbeing session drawing on Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, presentations on employment, career, study and training pathways, resume and job application support, and an afternoon watercolour session for self-care and creativity.

There is no cost to take part, and every participant receives a wellbeing pack in the post.

Key dates

Rise Together Initiative program: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026
Applications close: Wednesday 2 September
Applicants notified of outcome: Tuesday 8 September

Applications information

Applications are open to defence and veteran partners and widows. Ex-partners may also be considered. Applications will be reviewed by our CEO Renee Wilson and our Social Work and Wellbeing Manager, Lisa Stephenson.

How to apply

To apply for your place in the two-day program:

Complete the Expression of Interest form here: Expressions of Interest for Rise Together Initiative
Email your current resume to wellbeing@fov.org.au

For any further information about the Rise Together Initiative, please contact Kerrie or Lisa at 02 9267 6577 or wellbeing@fov.org.au

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War Widows Social Club Christmas gatherings

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 03:41:59 +0000

As the year is wrapping up, war widow social clubs have been celebrating the Christmas season with club lunches that bring members together for good food and great company as one last celebration together for 2025. These gatherings are a tradition that keeps friendships strong as members close the year with a final festive celebration, reminding us why connection matters during the holidays. Throughout late November and recent weeks of December, there have been a variety of gatherings to celebrate. Here are some of the highlights from the gatherings.

Bay and Basins

On 9 December, ten ladies met at Pelican Rocks for a seafood lunch that was, in their words, “absolutely fantastic.” The meals were nothing less than appreciated, so much so there was no need for doggy bags, a first for the group! But the real highlight of this gathering was the surprise birthday moment for one of the ladies, Nancy. Since the club’s next meeting is not until later in January, celebrating Nancy’s soon to be birthday at the gathering felt appropriate. With an unexpected sign, candles and ice cream appearing, Nancy looked around trying to figure out who’s birthday it was, only to discover it was an early surprise dedicated to her. It was recalled being a wholesome moment for the group, Nancy’s shock being unforgettable. The birthday surprise was of course mixed with more festivity, with the Coordinator Maureen thoughtfully bringing homemade slices of Christmas-themed cake for everyone, an act she’s known to do throughout the years to those who have supported her.

City Saturday Club

Held at their Coordinator Lynne’s home, the City Saturday Clubs annual Christmas celebration this year turned into an unforgettable moment for one of the ladies present, Mary. Surrounded by 22 friends in a warm, laughter filled setting, Mary was stunned when Lynne presented her with a Life Membership certificate, an honour usually reserved for our Annual General Meeting that Mary was unfortunately unable to receive earlier this year. Lynne so kindly volunteered to present it to Mary at the clubs Christmas gathering. “The look on her face was magic,” one member said, as the group could feel nothing but proud of Mary. All present collectively agreed that Mary deserved it more than anything from her decades of selflessness and resilience. Her peers agreed: Mary lives the Guild’s Motto. Her kindness and humour have touched every life in that room.

The Entrance and Long Jetty

This was the biggest gathering of the season, with 31 attendees including guests from Toukley, Woy Woy, Swansea and Ettalong. Board Member Lyn Bye joined the day along with an RSL representative. There were speeches, recitations of the Ode and Motto, and of course bon bons cracked. As one member summed it up, “everything went beautifully.”

Muswellbrook

Six ladies met at Muswellbrook Workers Club on 17 November for a lunch of baked dinner and sticky date pudding. The tables were decorated with Santa’s and candles as well as two items from members that had recently passed in the club to honour them and still have them present in spirit. It had been such a brilliant day for the ladies, getting lost in the time from “chatting and carrying on for hours”, “everyone went home so full they needed to put their feet up.” as one member said.

Other festive lunches

Wollongong ladies gathered at their local sports club with gifts of shortbread biscuits and chocolates. Northern Beaches Club enjoyed the most beautiful ocean-view lunch at Long Reef Golf Club with decorations and bon bons. Clarence Valley ladies met at Vines with a decorated table and gifts to pick from for every attendee, and Port Macquarie Club continued its tradition at Settlers Inn with gifts for all. Each lunch was well received and could not be described as anything less than a “great way to end the year” with connection and a chance to catch up and celebrate together.

Guild social clubs have existed for decades to make sure no war widow faces life alone. Christmas is a season that embodies the gift of giving and sharing, making social connection a must in all communities at this time. Everyone should be able to enter the new year with companionship and practical support, something these clubs have and will always offer for all war widows.

To join a War Widows Social Club or to find a club near you, view our War Widows Programs page and use our handy interactive map to locate clubs in your area. Alternatively, reach out to us at warwidows@fov.org.au for any support regarding clubs or call the office at 02 9267 6577.

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City Saturday Social Club Christmas gathering

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:00:39 +0000

Celebrating a special member at the City Saturday Social Club

Every year, the Coordinator of the City Saturday Club, Lynne, hosts a Christmas get-together at her home that allows war widows from both her club and other clubs to gather and celebrate the season. It’s a tradition Lynne has proudly maintained for over 15 years. This year, however, the occasion carried an extra layer of meaning as members came together to honour one of the City Saturdays Club members, Mary, presenting her with her Life Membership certificate.

Whilst Mary was originally meant to receive the certificate at our Annual General Meeting earlier this year, Lynne and the ladies present were able to present it on behalf of the Board, turning the already special Christmas gathering into a special surprise for Mary. The Guild’s Life Memberships are presented every year by our Board Chair at our AGM and are awarded to honour members who have shown exceptional commitment and service. It is considered a significant accolade within the organisation, and is such an admirable achievement that reflects dedication and is highly valued by members of the Guild.

With a few recipients chosen every year, the awardees are chosen carefully, and the process takes lots of thought. Member and war widow Mary was one of the distinguished ladies to receive a Life Membership this year. Lynne volunteered to surprise Mary and present the award at her November Christmas gathering.

Around 22 ladies attended the celebration held at Lynne’s home, including members from the City Saturday Club and some of the Younger Members’ Club. The ladies present were aware of what was to come, all except Mary herself, trying to contain the excitement to see Mary’s reaction to the unexpected award. The lunch prepared by Lynne involved a hearty baked dinner paired with a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. “All you can hear is talking and laughing”, Lynne said.

In the midst of the festivities and chatter, Lynne was able to say some special words before presenting Mary with her Life Membership certificate. “The look on her face was magic”, member Jenny said. The moment was personal, surrounded by all of her closest friends and Lynne’s family, including her dog Bunny that Lynne is amused to admit ‘guards’ Mary. Mary was genuinely surprised and moved by the gesture. Everyone was thrilled to see her receive the certificate, this group having known Mary for so long and collectively agreeing that she deserved this. She has moved the hearts of so many, even Bunny, Lynne’s loyal dachshund!

Mary’s inspiring contribution to the Guild and her peers

Mary embodies the spirit of our organisation, and lives by the Guilds Motto. She has always given generously of her time and energy, contributing in countless ways. She can be described as an incredibly selfless, strong woman. “She’s gone through hard times and still thinks about other people. She deserved it.” Jenny shared. “She deserves it. She is the true epitome of a war widow. Always giving, contributing in all ways – I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more than her.” Mary is one of a kind, able to make others laugh due to her ability to see the humour in life, and her most memorable trait being her selflessness, giving without ever expecting anything in return.

Her resilience, kindness, and commitment have made her an inspiration to many of her peers. Lynne recalls being instantly drawn to Mary’s manner when they first met years ago, a sentiment echoed by all who know her. “Everyone that meets Mary falls in love with her.”

Each attendee could recall something Mary has done or said that has affected them positively. Since meeting decades ago, these friendships have lasted for so long due to actions like these. Selflessness, kindness, and living the Motto the way Mary does.

[See image gallery at familiesofveterans.org.au]

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War widows social club outing

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:10:43 +0000

High tea at NSW Parliament House – Penrith War Widows Social Club

In October, 20 beautifully dressed members from the Penrith Social Club alongside two ladies from other clubs came together for high tea at NSW Parliament House, an outing organised by their Coordinator Dallas Alderson. With the motivation of wanting a day out for the ladies, Dallas tries to organise at least one large outing per year and invite as many ladies as she can for a fun day together.

Bringing people together

“It’s nice to get out and it doesn’t hurt to invite ladies from other clubs. I want to encourage others to go out and see what we do,” Dallas shared. Her commitment to hosting at least one big outing each year ensures that members have something to look forward to whilst also having the opportunity to connect with ladies outside of their usual club.

This year, Dallas organised for them to join the weekly Friday tours organised by the NSW Parliament House which are usually followed by a high tea at the award-winning Strangers’ Restaurant.

The ladies met at Penrith RSL before being transported by their courteous driver, Colin. Once arriving outside the NSW Parliament House, members navigated through corridors, seeing walls adorned with portraits of King George V and Queen Mary as well as artefacts like the opal-encrusted scissors used for the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening. After viewing the historic halls, they arrived in the ‘Members Room’, a private dining room with stunning garden views and access to a private outdoor garden. They were originally meant to dine in the usual Strangers Restaurant, but the ladies could not complain about being put in the ‘Members Room’ due to its lovely views and the tune of faint piano playing.

A high tea and feast to remember

The high tea itself was nothing short of spectacular. “A sumptuous feast of delicious food was presented to us!” one of the ladies said. It felt surreal to be with the same ladies they saw every month for their RSL meals, now together seeing three-tiered platters with seasonal sweet and savory delights, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of teas and coffees. It was a level up from their usual dining, with the cherry on top being the containers of dry ice, releasing misty smoke through the dishes. The ladies recalled it to be a great surprise, giving them something to laugh and gasp at. It was a next level experience that they couldn’t expect any less from Parliament House.

The connections that last beyond the outing

Just one day out left everyone in attendance with a new experience and a day of connection, one member saying, “this had been a very uplifting, joyous day, full of love, laughter and memories to cherish.” For many, these gatherings are a lifeline, offering companionship and a sense of belonging. The day ended with full hearts and stomachs, the ladies containing excitement for the next big outing in 2026. Dallas hopes to welcome even more ladies from outside her Penrith Club so they can too, share the joy and connection these gatherings bring.

[See image gallery at familiesofveterans.org.au]

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War Widows Social Club highlights

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 02:52:14 +0000

From the beginning, our social clubs have existed to make sure no war widow faces life alone. Formed in the tradition set by Jessie Vasey, who “welded” widows together so they had voice, companionship and practical support, the clubs offer belonging built on a shared loss and a shared resolve. That unspoken understanding is why a simple gathering matters: it steadies grief, restores confidence and keeps women connected to one another and to our mission.

Over the past six months, these gatherings have continued to bring war widows together for reasons that go far beyond what is seen on the surface. They are spaces where women who understand each other can find comfort in shared experiences—lives forever shaped by service. Whether it’s celebrating an occasion, enjoying an outing with peers, or simply sharing a cup of tea and cake, these moments remind us why staying connected matters.

Here are some of the highlights from recent gatherings.

Lynne’s birthday – City Saturday Social Club

At their July gathering, members of the City Saturday Social Club celebrated the birthday of their dedicated Coordinator, Lynne. For 20 years, Lynne has been a trusted friend—not only to the three remaining members of the club but to many other war widows across our community. She makes sure these women stay connected by personally inviting members from other clubs to join their meetings, organising outings, and preparing home‑cooked meals for every gathering.

Her efforts mean the club can keep meeting regularly despite its small size, and those meetings have become a lifeline for friendship and support. Twelve ladies came together to honour Lynne with cake and heartfelt thanks for the way she has sustained these bonds. True to her nature, Lynne often brushes aside praise, saying, “I get much more out of it than I give to them.”

Visit to the Art Gallery of NSW – Younger Members Social Club

Earlier this year, the Younger Members Social Club had their annual visit to the Art Gallery of NSW to view the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize entries. The day was kindly organised by Di, who has helped to coordinate seven different outings for the group in 2025 alone, with each one providing their club with new adventures to experience together. There were 903 entries and 57 finalists on display, letting the ladies view the variety of works together and pick their favourites, with one of the ladies saying, “the Art Gallery NSW is definitely a place to lose yourself for hours”. Lunch was pre‑selected and served in a quiet corner of the gallery café, allowing the ladies to end the outing with conversations and guesses on which finalist would make the cut. Their annual visits to view the Archibald have been a consistent tradition in the group for reasons beyond the fascinating art, but more so the conversations and laughs that blossom from the day. Di was thanked by a fellow member for “giving us a taste of culture, coupled with great company, laughter and a sprinkling of tears.”

Honouring the commitment of Macksville Social Club Coordinator, Edna

During the month of October, Macksville ladies gathered for a War Widows Day celebration with high tea and a special surprise for their Coordinator Edna. Edna received a Certificate of Appreciation for her 25 years of dedication to the Macksville Social Club. The presentation was from Board Member Lyn Bye who recalls it to be a lovely moment that had Edna surprised and the group proud to celebrate her contribution. Lyn had never met the group of ladies until that day, but left with new connections and the memory of them being “very delightful and welcoming.” Lyn has been invited back since, as this group of ladies is keen to connect once more after such a vibrant day.

Heather’s Coordination pass over – Epping Club

Members from Epping, Chatswood, and North Ryde recently came together at the Epping RSL Club to farewell Heather’s time as Coordinator, a role she has held since 2007. Her ladies could not be anything but proud of Heather for her dedication to their club for so many years. The morning tea included a certificate presentation by Board Member Lynne Sullivan, followed by lunch and conversations. The three club members present formed new friendships between each other, and as one member puts it, “We were all brought together through our love and friendship of this amazing woman… Heather.”

Thank you lunch for Myra – Bankstown Club

On the eve of Remembrance Day, Bankstown members gathered to honour Myra for her tireless efforts in running the club. A certificate and flowers were presented by member Lynne during morning tea, with seven ladies in attendance. Lynne mentioned how admirable Myra was, saying how the day was a “great acknowledgement of all that Myra does. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.” Her hard work and commitment are so prominent in her practice that it was even recognised by the CEO of Bankstown RSL, who acknowledged and congratulated Myra that same day.

Northern Beaches Meeting & birthday celebrations

Eighteen ladies met at the Gallipoli Club in September for lunch and a special celebration for the six birthdays that were in one month, with one member turning 101! Pamela, the Coordinator, surprised everyone with a rainbow cake, every September birthday was able to be celebrated in just one meeting. Pamela said out of all her outings in 2025, this was “one of the loveliest meetings I’d had all year”. It was a meeting that allowed every recent birthday to be recognised and celebrated collectively.

These gatherings show the strength of our community and the importance of staying connected. Whether it’s sharing stories, celebrating achievements, or simply enjoying each other’s company, our social clubs offer a space where friendships flourish. If you’ve ever thought about joining a club, there’s always room for one more at the table.

[See image gallery at familiesofveterans.org.au]

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