What is the Friendship Line?

The Friendship Line is a service that we offer to our members, especially those who live in rural areas or are socially isolated, to provide them with regular phone calls from our volunteers. The aim of the service is to extend a line of friendship and support to our members, and to keep them connected to our organisation and to other war widows.

Meet Fiona, a Friendship Line Volunteer

Fiona is one of our dedicated volunteers who calls 20 of our members every five weeks or so. She became a volunteer on the Friendship Line about five years ago, after her husband, who served in the Vietnam War, passed away. She said volunteering gave her a sense of purpose and a way of giving back to the organisation that welcomed her after her loss.

How the Friendship Line Transcends Generations

One of the members that Fiona calls regularly is Noni, who is 97 years old and lives in far north NSW. Noni’s husband served in World War Two, and she does not attend one of our social groups. She said she loves the Friendship Line and Fiona, and that they talk about everything and nothing, like old friends. They also exchange text messages, often about books they have read or movies they have seen.

Fiona said she enjoys hearing the stories of the members she calls, and learning from their experiences of service life and loving a veteran. She said the Friendship Line is different from other conversations because of the connection to a loved one’s Defence service. She said the Friendship Line transcends generations and creates a bond between war widows of different eras.

How to Join the Friendship Line

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer on the Friendship Line, or if you would like to receive calls from our volunteers, please contact us on (02) 9267 6577 or email programs@fov.org.au. You can also click here to become a volunteer. You can start with a small list of members to call, and you will receive training and support from our staff. Volunteering on the Friendship Line is a rewarding and fun way to make a difference in the lives of our members.

The post How the Friendship Line Connects War Widows Across Generations first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

A significant step toward system reform was made today with the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 introduced into Parliament. For so long this piece of work has been deemed too difficult and unpopular therefore nothing has changed.

We are glad to see that finally really change is on its way. As Glennon Doyle reminds us “we can do hard things.” And this Bill is testament to that fact. Just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean it is impossible or not worth doing.

This Bill must pass, however it is important to recognise that this Bill is merely the first step to a much larger body of reform work, including within the legislation itself. This Bill, if passed will get our sector out of the starting blocks and we cannot stop once we start.

To improve conditions, entitlements and pathways to support and recognition for the families of veterans we would like to see further improvement to the legislative framework such as:

• Recognising veteran families and their role in the new legislative framework.
• Remove privacy barriers which prevent families from being meaningfully engaged
• Removal of inequity in the provision of funeral entitlements.
• Removal of inequity for bereaved families under the Acute Support Package.
• Extension of entitlements for children of veterans who have passed in or because of their service for lifetime mental health care.
• Adjust prescribed limits to domestic assistance provisions to allow greater flexibility in their application. Empowering veterans and families to be able to keep pace with the costs of services.
• Including veteran family engagement and a role for DVA in the provisions that govern Transition Support.
• Adjustments to the attendant care entitlements to reflect community understanding, expectation, and language.
• Adjustment to the wholly dependent partner provisions to reflect community understanding, expectation, and language; and
• Extending liability provisions to cover deaths in duty caused by disease which has been treated while the person is a member of the ADF and has passed as a result of that disease while in service.

To stay informed on our advocacy work and get involved, subscribe to our newsletter today.

The post New Legislation to simplify and harmonise veteran compensation introduced today first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Prior to the event, efforts were made to reach out to both current and past members in the surrounding region to Forster – Tuncurry. While not everyone could attend, the response was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the enduring strength of our community bonds.

The gathering was a resounding success, the room was filled with chatter creating an atmosphere brimming with camaraderie and a sense of community spirit. Local members reconnected after a long time apart, and new members came together to share stories, past experiences, and discuss exciting plans for the future of the Forster-Tuncurry war widow social group. The event saw the connection and support between the Port Macquarie area and Laurieton group coordinators and members. 

One of the highlights of the event was the encouragement of participation from all attendees. Members who had been inactive were warmly welcomed to meet with members from the local and further areas, while those new to the group were greeted with open arms. Through shared interests and common goals, we rekindled the sense of belonging that lies at the heart of our social group. 

Important updates regarding volunteering opportunities, The Digest, newsletters, and meeting schedules were shared during the event. Members were informed about upcoming activities and encouraged to get involved in various initiatives aimed at enriching both their own lives and the wider community.

A noteworthy moment during the event was when Matt, the duty manager of Club Forster surprised the guests welcoming the ladies back to Club Forster after a long time away during the COVID lockdowns. In a gesture of generosity, Club Forster donated $150 worth of club vouchers for three lucky door prize winners to share. This gesture added an extra layer of excitement and appreciation to the gathering, showcasing the strong partnership between our social groups and the local community. 

Special recognition goes to Lyn-Anne Bye and Sylvia Smith, the dedicated coordinators for the Laurieton social club. Their efforts in organising events, day trips and most importantly a sense of care and community within the group. Their commitment to ensuring inclusivity and warmth within the Laurieton social club is truly commendable. 

We extend this gratitude to Peter, the Legacy bus driver who transported and joined the lunch, along with the many more events that could not happen without his support.  

We also express our gratitude to Loyis Goodyear, the coordinator of the Port Macquarie social club, for her commitment to facilitating meaningful interactions and activities for our members. Loyis herself was among the lucky recipients of a door prize. Currently, she is collaborating with two members from the Laurieton social club, who also received prizes, to plan future events. Furthermore, the Forster-Tuncurry ladies have spoken of hosting a joint social gathering at Club Forster in the near future. 

In a heart warming tribute to longevity, we recognised and celebrated our remarkable ‘life members’ in the room and at home ranging from 100 through to 104 years young.  Congratulations were also given to the ladies becoming life members next year. Their achievements are a testament to the vitality and resilience within our community. 

The post Our regional visit to Forster-Tuncurry first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.