Get growing with an introduction to gardening for war widows, defence and veteran families

Whether you’ve got a backyard, a balcony, or a single pot on the windowsill, this online wellbeing activity will help you get growing with confidence. On Thursday 15 October 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our introduction to gardening session for a practical evening of tips whilst learning and connecting alongside others!

Introduction to gardening

Join us online via Zoom for a two-hour introduction to gardening led by Melanie Thompson from Garden Nerds. The session covers the essentials — why gardening is good for us, where to find reliable information, types of plants and where they come from, and the basics of sun, soil, and water. Melanie will also walk through assessing your site, planning your space, and managing weeds, pruning, pests, and diseases, with plenty of time for questions throughout.

Afterwards, you’ll be sent the Zoom recording, a summary of notes with answers to any questions not covered on the night, and a copy of the slides. If you’d like to keep the conversation going, you can also join the Nerds in the Know Facebook page to ask questions down the track. There is no cost to attend, and this is an adults-only activity.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I appreciate opportunities to learn new things, develop practical skills, and prioritise self-care and wellbeing in a supportive and welcoming environment.”

Event information

• Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).

• Date: Thursday 15 October 2026.

• Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm (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.

Advanced Tension and Trauma Release Exercises for war widows, defence and veteran families

Ready to take your Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) practice further? This six-week wellbeing activity builds on the introductory course with deeper techniques to release tension and settle the nervous system. Starting Wednesday 21 October 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families who’ve completed the introduction to TRE can join our Advanced TRE Course online.

Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) workshop

Join us online via Zoom for six weekly sessions of Advanced Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), led by Richmond, the National TRE Coordinator of Australia. Each session combines a Q&A, a short theory presentation, and a guided group TRE practice. TRE is a gentle, body-based wellbeing practice designed to help release deep muscular tension, calm the nervous system, and support overall emotional and physical balance.

Across the course, weekly topics may include using stop-start to facilitate more movement, muscle activations, adjusting floor positions, working with the face, using standing positions, and working with the breath. This is an advanced course, so places are open to those who have completed the three-week introduction to TRE (held in February or August 2026). There is no cost to attend, and this is an adults-only activity.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “These sessions became a powerful tool for releasing tension, reducing stress, and helping me feel supported, relaxed, and connected with others.” 

Not done the beginner TRE? Register your interest

If you’re interested in this activity but haven’t yet completed the beginner Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) course, register your interest to be the first to know when we release our next beginner sessions. To register, email your details to wellbeing@fov.org.au or call us on 02 9267 6577.

Event information

• Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).

• Dates: 

  • Wednesday 21 October 2026
  • Wednesday 28 October 2026
  • Wednesday 4 November 2026
  • Wednesday 11 November 2026
  • Wednesday 18 November 2026
  • Wednesday 25 November 2026

• Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm (AEST).

• 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.

Strike up some fun with a family bowling afternoon for defence and veteran families

Looking for something to fill a school holiday afternoon? Make a day of it in the city with this wellbeing activity at Darling Harbour. On Thursday 8 October 2026, defence and veteran families can join our family bowling afternoon with one game, shared lanes, and plenty of friendly competition to go around!

Family bowling afternoon

Join us at Strike Bowling in Darling Harbour for a game of bowling the whole family can enjoy. To get everyone chatting, families will share lanes with other families on the day — a relaxed way to meet others and have a bit of fun together. It’s a great excuse to make a family day out of it in the city, right in the school holidays.

One game of bowling and shoe hire are included, and there is no cost to attend. Children are welcome with adult supervision. Bowling shoes will be provided, but if you’d rather wear your own, please choose something closed-toe and flat-soled, like trainers, sneakers, or boat shoes.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed connecting and sharing conversations with others from around the country, spending quality time with my family, and participating in a a different activity.”

Event information

• Location: Strike Bowling Darling Harbour, 58 Lime St, Sydney NSW.

• Date: Thursday 8 October 2026.

• Time: 2pm – 3.30pm.

• Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is essential, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

Calming watercolour painting evening for war widows, defence and veteran families

No skill required, just a brush and a bit of colour! This online wellbeing activity is a calm, confidence-building hour of watercolour painting you can enjoy from home. On Monday 28 September 2026, war widows, defence and veteran families can join our watercolour painting session for a relaxed creative evening alongside others who understand defence and veteran family life.

Watercolour painting

Join us online via Zoom for a one-hour watercolour painting session designed to be calm and confidence-building. You’ll be guided through the basics at an easy pace, so there’s no experience needed — just follow along and enjoy the process. Each household receives one watercolour kit in the post to share.

It’s a screen-free way to unwind, spend quality time together, and connect with other families around the country from the comfort of home. There is no cost to attend, and children are welcome to join in with adult supervision.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I enjoyed connecting and sharing conversations with others from around the country, spending quality time with my family, and participating in a different activity.”

Event information

• Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to you).

• Date: Monday 28 September 2026.

• Time: 7pm – 8pm (AEST).

• 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.

Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway walk and lunch for war widows 

On Friday 25 September 2026, war widows are warmly invited to join our War Widows walk and lunch at Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway! War widows can join this wellbeing activity for a morning of remembrance and connection that takes war widows along the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, with a guided presentation, lunch, and a little friendly trivia. 

War widows walk and lunch

Join us at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway for a morning that begins with morning tea, followed by an engaging presentation and guided walk led by one of the walkway’s volunteers. It’s a chance to reflect and remember, while spending time with others who understand.

After the walk, we will gather for lunch together and a fun Guild-themed trivia session. Morning tea and lunch are both included, and there is no cost to attend. This activity is for war widows.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “The walk gave me time to reflect, remember, and feel connected to a community that understands the sacrifices we’ve made.” 

Event information

• Location: Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, Killoola St, Rhodes Park, Concord West NSW.

• Date: Friday 25 September 2026.

• Time: 10.30am – 1pm.

• Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is essential, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.