During one of our recent wellbeing activities, war widows had the opportunity to visit the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway for a long-awaited return of the war widows walk, exclusive to war widows. 

About the Walkway

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a living, growing memorial, functioning as an educational resource and a principal site of commemoration honouring all those who fought and served for Australia during World War Two. The Walkway is a peaceful and tranquil memorial featuring a magnificent Memorial Centrepiece and The Memorial Rose Garden, which features plaques dedicated to those who served. It is said to form a link with the past for today’s and future generations.

Walking together through history

With attendees following the guided tour, the day began at the Education Centre, where they learnt about the historical significance of Kokoda and the sacrifices made by those who fought in New Guinea. Listening to stories of courage and resilience reminded them why this memorial exists, not only to honour those who served but to acknowledge the families who carried on in their absence.

At the Memorial Centrepiece, Board Member Jennifer Collins AM and member Wendy McKean laid a wreath on behalf of all families of veterans, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. Surrounded by greenery and the peaceful setting of the walkway, the group paused to pay respects before continuing on the guided tour. The walkway’s peaceful beauty stood in stark contrast to the harsh conditions endured by soldiers, making the experience deeply moving but remaining a peaceful walk as a group.

Why this walk is so meaningful

The ladies present were accompanied by social worker Hayley from our Wellbeing Team and was able to facilitate the activity in a similar practice to what was once loved years ago when the war widow walks were hosted. After the walk, attendees gathered for lunch in the shaded area outside with sandwiches and a pastry, becoming an opportunity for more conversation and connection. Whilst the ladies present had visited the Track several times throughout the years, the Track is still refreshing, pleasant, and an opportunity to learn so much about those who served. The scenery may be familiar, but each walk brings new conversations and connections with each year it is held. It’s not just about remembering; it’s about knowing you’re not alone.

The afternoon concluded with a guest presentation from a physiotherapist at Sydney Pelvic Clinic, offering practical advice on pelvic health and support options. It was a thoughtful addition to a day focused on wellbeing, with war widows that were present being really hopeful that more ladies could join next year to experience such a genuine outing together.

Subscribe to our Wellbeing Newsletter so you can be the first to see what wellbeing activities are available that focus on connection just like this. 

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War Widows Day holds profound significance as it recognises and connects war widows, acknowledging their bravery, resilience, and sacrifice. It is a day to honour the silent figures who have stood steadfast behind Australia’s peace and security, ensuring that their stories are heard and their contributions remembered. The importance of this day lies in its role to shine a light on the sacrifices of war widows, whose strength and endurance have often gone unnoticed for over a century. 

In this article, we shine a light on their lives, shaped by our Defence Force and service and we honour their stories of love and sacrifice. 

Meet some of Australia’s first war widows

Sybil Dale was living in Canberra and just 18 years old when her husband was killed at Gallipoli in August 1915. The couple had a daughter, Valda, who was only four months old, born mere days before her father set sail for war.

When Jessie Reid’s husband was killed on the Western Front in June 1917, she was also left a war widow and single mother to three young children, all aged under four. She dedicated the next 20 years of her life to raising her children on her own while living in Victoria.

Glenda Love was another woman whose husband, Alfred, died during the First World War. Their daughter, Esther, was eight years old at the time. Alfred wrote in the back of his war diary, “In the event of my death, I wish this book to be sent to my Dear Wife to let her know that my last thoughts were of her and of Essie, my darling daughter.”

These are the stories of some of Australia’s first war widows. While the exact number of Australian war widows over the past 100-plus years has never been tallied, a good estimate would be in the hundreds of thousands.

Yet despite this significant number, little is known about you, Australia’s war widows. There have been few books written about you, no documentaries or television series created to tell your stories, and only a handful of monuments have been erected to honour your support, grief, and sacrifice.

For more than 100 years, your stories have remained largely unseen and untold, and your sacrifice has stayed unrecognised. Until now.

War Widows Day

In 2022, War Widows Day – 19 October – was declared an observed day in NSW and QLD, followed shortly by recognition in the ACT, SA, and WA.

The purpose of War Widows Day is to recognise war widows and widowers in our communities, honouring your contributions and sacrifices in defence of Australia. War Widows Day is the only day on some state commemorative calendars that specifically recognises the role of veterans’ families in your lifelong service and commitment to your loved ones and our nation. This makes it unique and significant.

The feedback we hear from our members is that War Widows Day is incredibly special to them. Members Di and Fran spoke to us about last year’s War Widows Day: Di described the service at the cenotaph at Martin Place as “beautiful and emotional,” while Fran said, “It was a very touching and moving day.”

With more than 40,000 war widows around Australia, and most states and territories now recognising your contributions, we believe it is time for War Widows Day to receive further recognition. We call for every Australian to mark War Widows Day this year. Have a coffee with a war widow you know, support one of our fundraisers or attend our War Widows Day Ceremony in Sydney. It is essential that we see and value our war widows, for all they have sacrificed and that we hear their stories.

We warmly invite you to join us at the War Widows Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney. The ceremony will commence on 19 October at 10:30am. This is a public event, and everyone is welcome to come and show their support for the incredible war widows of our nation. No registration required, if you require a seat, please email us or call us on (02) 9267 6577.

The post The importance of War Widows Day first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

For many veteran families, the challenges of military service don’t end when the uniform is folded away. The transition back to civilian life can be a challenging journey, particularly when a loved one has experienced trauma during their service. Yet, even amid these challenges, there is a path forward—a journey of hope and healing through post-traumatic growth (PTG). This concept speaks to the potential for positive change and deeper connections that can arise out of adversity. 

PTG, introduced by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in the 1990s, offers a different perspective on trauma. While much focus has been placed on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), PTG emphasises that trauma can also lead to personal and collective growth. It doesn’t downplay the pain but suggests that through healing, families can find new strength, hope, and purpose. 

For veteran families, PTG can begin with a renewed appreciation for life. After enduring the hardships of Defence service – whether through deployments, injuries, or the psychological challenges of service – families often come to value the simple, everyday moments that might have once been taken for granted. Feedback from spouses indicates that working through these challenges helps families start to cherish the little things, like just sitting together in the sunshine of their backyard. These moments of appreciation are not just fleeting; they serve as a foundation for healing, helping families to reconnect and rebuild. 

Hope is further nurtured through the strengthening of family bonds. Trauma can test relationships, but it can also fortify them. Veteran families who face these challenges together often emerge with a deeper sense of unity and understanding. Many have shared that despite the difficulties, they talk more, listen more, and feel closer than ever before. The shared experience of overcoming adversity can lead to better communication, greater empathy, and a renewed commitment to one another’s wellbeing. In this way, trauma doesn’t just tear at the fabric of family life; it can also weave it back together, stronger and more resilient. 

Healing is also found in the discovery of new personal strengths. Veteran families often find themselves facing challenges that seem insurmountable, yet time and time again, they rise to meet them. Community members have expressed that despite initial doubts, they realised they are capable of much more than they had ever imagined. This process reveals an inner resilience that may have been hidden, a strength that propels them forward. This newfound confidence not only aids in recovery but also empowers families to take on future challenges with hope rather than fear. 

Finally, PTG opens the door to new possibilities. For some veteran families, this means embracing a renewed sense of purpose, whether through community service, supporting other veteran families, or simply finding new ways to support each other. 

Post-traumatic growth reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is a light that can guide us through. While the scars of trauma may never fully fade, they can become the marks of a battle fought and won, symbols of a family’s courage, resilience, and unwavering hope for the future. 

The post Growth after trauma first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.