Self-Care Activities - Families of Veterans Guild

Wellbeing walk and lunch for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:06:28 +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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Macramé workshop for Sydney veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:13:05 +0000

Macramé and dinner for war widows, defence and veteran families

Knot, create and connect with this wellbeing activity. On Thursday 13 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our macramé and dinner evening in Chatswood to learn a new skill and connect over a shared meal with others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Macramé and dinner

Join us in Chatswood to learn the basics of macramé and create your own wall hanging piece to take home. You will be guided through simple knotting techniques step by step, with all materials provided — no experience needed. Once everyone has finished crafting, we will sit down together for a pizza dinner, connecting with other defence and veteran families.

Hop on the Metro train (just a quick 14min ride from either Central to Chatswood or Ryde to Chatswood). Feel free to explore the lively streets of Chatswood, with its great shops and unique attractions.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I loved the relaxed pace, learning a new skill, connecting with nature, and spending time with such a warm and welcoming group. It was something I wouldn’t normally do, and I can’t wait to do more!”

Event information

Location: Families of Veterans Guild, Level 1, 9 Help St Chatswood NSW.
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026.
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm.
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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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.

The post Greeting cards workshop for Canberra veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Wellbeing walk and lunch in Sydney for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 06:38:53 +0000

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

Sea air, an easy stroll along the foreshore, and lunch with good company — that’s the shape of this wellbeing activity at Cronulla. On Friday 7 August 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our wellbeing walk and lunch for a relaxed afternoon by the water whilst connecting with others who understand.

Wellbeing walk and lunch

Join us at Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club for a wellbeing walk of about 60 minutes, following the Esplanade Walk along the foreshore. The route is paved and flat, and it’s pram and wheelchair friendly, so everyone can take part comfortably. After the walk, we will head to a local cafe for lunch together. A meal and a drink at the cafe are included.

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 Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, 36A Gerrale St, Cronulla NSW.
Date: Friday 7 August 2026.
Time: 12pm – 2pm.
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.

The post Wellbeing walk and lunch in Sydney for veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Monthly writing through grief online

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:06:47 +0000

War widows, defence and veteran families — join a creative writing session focused on grief

Born from an idea shared by a war widow, our Writing Through Grief sessions offer a safe space to express grief. Over time, with many returning participants, the sessions have grown into a place where people feel acknowledged, heard and supported. These sessions will start on Thursday 16 July and are facilitated by our social workers, offering a supportive environment to explore experiences and emotions that are often difficult to voice.

Over time, many attendees have returned again and again, looking forward to reconnecting each time we host this activity. This group is still growing and welcoming to newcomers.

Monthly writing through grief

Join us for a monthly online creative writing session held over Zoom, exploring writing as a way to work through grief. Each session uses forms such as poetry, short stories, letters, and reflective journaling. Together, we will explore experiences of grief within the defence community, including bereavement, deployment, transition, and relocation. A journal and pen are all you will need and are included for new attendees. Come to just one or all.

Previous attendees said “The session created a safe and supportive space where I felt comfortable listening, sharing, and opening up at my own pace.”

Event information

Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent to you).
Dates:
- Thursday 16 July 2026
- Thursday 20 August 2026
- Thursday 17 September 2026
- Thursday 1 October 2026
- Thursday 12 November 2026

Times: 6pm – 7.30pm (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.

The post Monthly writing through grief online first appeared on 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.

The post Wellbeing walk and lunch in Sydney for veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.