Here is the 2022 class schedule:

• Chair Yoga – Tuesday 12.30pm, Thursday 11am
• Singing Lessons – Wednesday 10am
• Modified Dance – Friday 10am

Not yet signed up to one of our enjoyable and relaxing classes? Improve your physical, emotional and social wellbeing in the comfort of your own home with one (or all!) of our online weekly classes. Choose from chair yoga, modified seated dance and singing lessons, all free for AWWNSW members.

Feel the joy of movement and rhythm during our modified dance classes.

We are often told to keep moving to stay healthy. But how do you physically do that if you have limited mobility, painful joints or lack of flexibility? The answer could be modified or seated dance.

Experience the benefits of dance and creativity in this weekly seated class. Dance can help improve flexibility, balance and strength while increasing confidence and a sense of wellbeing.

Our classes are run by trained and highly qualified educator, Jessica Connelly of Dance4Wellbeing. The classes are gentle, slow and include options so it can be enjoyed standing or sitting.

If you would like to enjoy the benefits of any of these classes from our online health and wellbeing program, contact our office at guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au or 02 9267 6577 for more information.

Take some time to for you and join our mindful Chair Yoga sessions.

Many of us are aware of the benefits of Yoga. From relaxation to improving strength, flexibility and heart health, the benefits of Yoga are well documented. But have you tried Chair Yoga?

Here are 6 reasons to try Chair Yoga.

1. Chairs don’t take up much floor space
2. Everyone has a chair or can access one
3. It is surprising the quality and range of movement achieved from sitting in a chair
4. Chairs are a great prop. Of course, you can sit, but if you are able, you can stand and use it to help you balance
5. Chairs a great aid to posture
6. Using a chair allows anyone to try Yoga

All you need is a sturdy chair and a bottle of water!

Run by Chair Yoga instructor Paula, these free sessions are accessible to all levels of flexibility and strength.

Why not sign up to our always fun and interactive Singing Lessons?

Singing is something that many love to do but often feel self-conscious about. This inclusive, caring group will give you an opportunity to learn a new skill and make new friends. Not only is singing fun, it improves lung function, can boost your immune system and can help promote positive feelings – even change your perception of pain! If you prefer to be seen and not heard, you can simply mute yourself on Zoom and feel free to stretch those vocal cords.

Aaron from Unlock Your Voice is our friendly and experienced singing coach who comes highly recommended by AWWNSW members and singing class participants.

The post Online classes are back! first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Considering the transpiring situation in Afghanistan, Australian War Widows NSW (AWW NSW) calls on the veteran community and their families to support each other during this time.

The war in the Middle East has affected so many civilians and profoundly changed the lives of over 39,000 Australian Defence Force personnel, the 41 Australians who lost their lives and the some 261 officially listed as wounded during that service.

At this time, those who carry the burden of war are left questioning their service, their work, and their legacy.

Chief Executive Officer AWW NSW, Renee Wilson urges veterans and members to “Reach out to a mate, to a friend, to your family, to me, to AWW NSW, to the RSL, to Legacy, to Solider On, to Mates4Mates, to Open Arms, to your GP”.

“As a spouse of an Afghanistan veteran severely wounded and not expected to survive, I have met many women, men and children, just like me, who bear their own burdens of war and whose service and sacrifice go largely unspoken”, says Wilson.

In her opinion piece, Renee Wilson speaks of how all who served in Afghanistan did our country proud and gave so much to the civilians: girls who are now women are educated; civilians experienced a life free of the Taliban, and civilians gained skills they never had before. Their service and devotion transformed many civilian lives.

AWW NSW offers immense gratitude and respect to the Afghanistan veterans and to their families. They have sacrificed their lives, relationships, safety, mind and soul.

AWW NSW is here to support members, veteran and their families and ask our members to check in on each other.

For more information, contact:

Renee Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Australian War Widows NSW

Jennifer Collins, Chair, Australian War Widows NSW

(02) 9267 6577

17 August 2021

The post Media Release – Australian Veterans of Afghanistan first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

It is difficult to read about the transpiring situation in Afghanistan and the plight of the civilians. While there has been much talk of the removal of troops, I have heard little directed toward those whose souls burnt out in Afghanistan, whose blood, sweat, and tears stain its sands. I have heard little directed towards those families whom the war left behind in its wake. I have heard little directed toward those that carry the burdens of that war who are left now questioning the meaningfulness of that service, of their work, of their legacy. We always tend to forget the people when it is over. So, I thought I would have a turn and talk directly to what is missing in everything we are hearing.

First and foremost, everyone who served in Afghanistan did our country proud. The Australian public knows full well that our Defence Forces have a history of being called to the wars of other nations. You knew that too, yet you still signed up and you still devoted your life to the cause. For that you did us proud. Here are other reasons you did us proud:

• Girls who are now women are educated
• Civilians experienced a life free of the Taliban
• Civilians gained skills they never had before
• You helped them sleep, you kept them safe, you grew their resolve.

You gave the people, the women in particular, a gift – the gift of knowledge and experience. It is difficult right now to see the fruit from the trees, but it is there. Have faith in what you did, have faith in yourself, and with time, you will see the flower grow, you will see that fruit.

You gave the civilians what they needed to stand or to make a new life elsewhere. You have gifted them a life they may not have otherwise had.

Australians know what you did, we are proud of what you did. We know that for their tomorrow and our tomorrow, you sacrificed yours. Some sacrificed their lives, some sacrificed seeing their children born, some sacrificed seeing their children grow, some sacrificed their relationships, some sacrificed their safety and bodies, some sacrificed their mind and their soul. Debts that cannot be repaid – ever.

For those left behind, carrying scars of that war, be them your own or your loved ones’ – I want you to also know your sacrifices matter. Australia knows a lot less about your sacrifices, the long nights, the fear, the nightmare, and chaos that ensues when the fear comes true, the loss of words, the deep sadness, the uncertainty, the yearning to support your children and your loved one forgetting yourself in the process, the questioning, the doubts…not knowing how to answer questions from your children or your loved one asking why. Not knowing how to soothe wounds that reach the soul.

I want you to know that I see you, I hear you and we are in this together. I want you to know that everything I wrote earlier applies to you too. I want you to know that I will make sure Australia does not forget you, that it knows your story and that while many of your loved ones have now finished serving, your service has started.

Your loved ones gifted women, children, and innocent civilians a gift you cannot see, but it is a gift we exercise every day. That gift is worth everything. That gift is Choice.

If you or your loved one has been impacted by the events in Afghanistan over the last few days, if you are worried about how you are feeling, or they are feeling, if you are worried about what you are saying or what they are saying about their service, if you are not sure how to feel, please reach out. Reach out to a mate, to a friend, to your family, to me, to us, to the RSL, to Legacy, to Soldier On, to Mates4Mates, to Open Arms, to your GP. We are all here to catch you and help you rise again.

Renee Wilson

Renee is the Spouse of Gary Wilson, an Army Veteran who was wounded during the Afghanistan War. She is also the CEO of Australian War Widows NSW Ltd. An inclusive non-for-profit organisation that supports women and families impacted by Defence Service.

The post Australian Veterans of Afghanistan first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

A story of one woman who stood tall, who stood up for what she believed in, who devoted her life to service and empowering others. A woman who had a unique ability to tell it like it was, to inspire activity, unity and positive change for those in her community. A woman who, with many others, stood against gender bias and created a legacy for this generation of women to carry forward.

I am of course speaking about Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey OBE CBE, founder of the War Widows Guild.

Beginning her work to support women impacted by war well before she became a widow herself, Jessie was never going to stand idly by while war widows in the 1940s and 50s were denied access to their late husbands’ pensions and were living off just £2, 10 shillings (under $200/week). She was never going to stand by while war widows’ pensions could be revoked at will, when government felt it was ‘desirable’ to do so.

She wasn’t going to stand by while war widows remained ‘invisible, left out and forgotten; the sacrifice they had made for the community overlooked’.

But she wasn’t going to accept charity either, for she knew the truth of who these women left behind by war. They were not helpless – they were well educated, intelligent, articulate, resourceful and resilient women. Women who needed each other more than ever. ‘Our women don’t want to be the objects of charity, pity and patronage … the most dangerous of all forms of social service is benevolence from above … we want to give these women hope, to make them proud of being war widows and not ashamed.’

So she did what she did best, she used her voice, she rallied her peers and joining with like-minded organisations, created what is now known as the Australian War Widows. In NSW, we have existed for 75 years and with the anniversary of our first meeting, which took place on 4 June 1946, we take a moment to pause and remember who we were, what we have achieved and where we are going.

Over the last few years, we have talked a lot about change – changing needs, changing demographics, changing landscapes of services in the veteran sector. We talk about reform. We talk about transformation – but is that really what is happening, or are we simply returning to our foundations?

For us in New South Wales it is the latter. While we have expanded our membership criteria, and that will mean changes, what it doesn’t mean is a loss of who we are and what we stand for. Rather, the expansion of our membership criteria represents the will of those who built this organisation to hand on their legacy to a new generation who needs it, who can use it and who can carry its work on – because the work isn’t done.

As the spouse of a veteran wounded in war myself, it is hard not to be inspired and not to want to answer the call, to step up to the plate and bring this organisation to a new generation while we can still benefit from the guidance and wisdom of the generation that created this for us.

I’ve said it numerous times: those who stand behind the Defence Force are the silent majority. They are generally unseen and unheard, yet they are charged with the responsibility of taking care of our nation’s veterans. Often, they are isolated in their experiences and challenges; challenges which still seem to disproportionately affect women.

The voices of women and veterans’ families have never been more important than now. We hear many stories of veterans who are impacted by their service, but we don’t hear the stories or needs of those who carry the burden of service long after that service ends.

They are the stories we want to tell; for those are the stories that will bring about significant and meaningful change and lasting bonds. Those are the stories that unite widows, women, veterans and families.

Just like the war widows of 1946 and beyond, the women and families connected to the Australian Defence Force are no Cinderellas. We are not waiting for someone to come and save us; we don’t want pity or charity. We want to be empowered with skills to help ourselves and our loved ones. We need each other and we need a place to belong. We have been gifted that place and it is up to us to keep this legacy alive, to join, to be seen, to be heard and to help each other.

Imagine the future we can build.

Renee Wilson, CEO Australian War Widows NSW Ltd.

You no longer need to be a War Widow to join our organisation. You just need to have a connection to Defence service and a motivation to accept the gift of membership to this unique and inspiring organisation. If you are not already a member and want to join with us, please call (02) 92676577 or email guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au.

The post Our voices have never been more important first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.