The post War Widows Social Club Christmas gatherings first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

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.

The post City Saturday Social Club Christmas gathering first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

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.  

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 on (02) 9267 6577. 

The post War widows social club outing first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

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. 

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.

[See image gallery at familiesofveterans.org.au]  

The post War Widows Social Club highlights first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Jill, one of our Member from Penrith, shared with us the story about how memorable a trip with her social club can be.  

The Penrith War Widows Social Club gathered on 16 April and enjoyed a special outing to Innovations Direct at Frenchs Forest, a homewares and general merchandise retailer, organised with the support of their Social Club Coordinator, Dallas, and the venue. 

Jill shared, “Have you ever put your name down to go somewhere, and then later thought for whatever reason that you didn’t want to proceed with your choice, but went ahead anyway only to find out that you had a very exciting and fun filled day?” This is what that day felt like for her, following up to say she had no regrets going on a shopping spree with her social club. 

The road trip to Innovations Direct

The twelve members gathered at Penrith RSL at the beginning of the day, setting off in a minibus driven by Robyn, who Jill recalls having the attentiveness and good humour that set the tone for the day. The journey took the group through familiar roads and on into some beautiful scenery through a national park, laughter and conversation not ceasing even once through the drive, “I have never laughed so much in my life”, Jill mentioned. 

Arriving at Innovations Direct, members were welcomed by staff and made their way into the Show Room, excitement immediately circulating through all members once they saw the huge array of merchandise on offer. It seemed to have a section for everyone, letting all the ladies get busy with a day of shopping together. 

The newly opened Clearance Warehouse proved a highlight. Jill described it as a hive of activity with crazy bargains. But the exciting variety of merchandise was not what made the day so special.  

Each war widow also received a commemorative lapel pin, a thoughtful gesture appreciated by the ladies. After leaving “the heady excitement of shopping”, lunch at the Forest Hotel followed, where they enjoyed a meal and plenty of good conversation, with some indulging in cake for dessert. The return journey was marked by more good spirit, Jill recalling it to be “full of laughter”, with the driver Robyn remarking that she had never come across such a happy group of women who laughed as much as they did,” 

Return journey with further good spirit

By mid afternoon, members returned to Penrith RSL, tired but content after a day of shopping and a humorous road trip. The outing was made possible through the leadership, concern and care of their Coordinator Dallas. This story really highlights that a special day is never about the location, it’s about the people you share it with. Something as simple as a day of shopping had turned into a memorable day for Jill and many in the group, all because of this “happy group of women.”  Jill may have been hesitant to have a day out but did not have an ounce of regret after she joined in. After a day like this, members are not left with the things they brought home, but the feeling that they have each other. 

The post War widows social club outing first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.