80 years supporting war widows
and veteran families
Together We Still Stand
80 years of bringing out the best in each other
In 1946, war widows in New South Wales came together for the first time — not to seek sympathy, but to demand recognition and build a community grounded in dignity, self-help and mutual support. 80 years on, the Families of Veterans Guild is still here, still advocating, and still standing alongside war widows, defence and veteran families across Australia. Together We Still Stand marks 80 years of the Guild, from 1946 to 2026.
How the Guild began:
supporting war widows in 1946
The Families of Veterans Guild was founded 80 years ago by war widows who turned personal loss into collective strength. In 1946, war widows in New South Wales came together for the first time. They were not asking for charity. They were demanding fair treatment, fair compensation, and a place in a public conversation that had largely overlooked them.
Led by Jessie Vasey CBE OBE, the Guild grew from a small craft-based support group into one of the most influential women’s advocacy groups of its time — driven by strong leadership and by women who challenged systems and expectations. That legacy remains at the heart of who we are today.
When we ask our women to fight through to self-confidence and self-reliance, we are asking them to get back to the best that was within them.”
Jessie Vasey CBE OBE, 1946
Who was Jessie Vasey?
Jessie Mary Halbert Vasey CBE OBE founded the Guild after the death of her husband, Major General George Vasey, in an aircraft crash in 1945. She wrote more than 2,000 letters encouraging war widows to join, and built an organisation founded not on charity but on rights, independence and self-determination. She led the Guild for 21 years, from 1945 until her death in 1966. Her vision still guides the Guild today.
What has always defined the Guild:
support, advocacy and connection
From the earliest days of bringing widows together, connection has always been central to what we do. The Guild’s founding principle was simple: war widows needed rights, independence and self-determination — not charity. That principle still guides us today. We still recite the motto adopted by the Guild in 1949 at our club meetings. It is more than words. It is how the Guild has worked for eight decades — peer support, advocacy, and the strength people find in each other.
We all belong to each other. We all need each other. It is in serving each other and in sacrificing for our common good that we are finding our true life.”
The Guild Motto – Adopted 1949
The War Widows’ Badge:
symbol of strength and connection
The Guild’s badge was designed by Andor Mészáros and has been worn by members since 1951. Its central emblem is the kookaburra — chosen by Jessie Vasey as a determinedly Australian, independent bird with a call that is not a song but a laugh. It was a call to win the widow back to laughter. It was chosen to symbolise resilience, strength, independence and the refusal to let grief have the final word. 80 years on, the same kookaburra remains on our members’ badges, in our logo and in our anniversary mark — unchanged in spirit.
…a unique call, not a song but a laugh; a chortle of rollicking mirth. It was a call to win the widow back to laughter.”
— No Peacetime Cinderellas
Who we are today: supporting war widows and veteran families across Australia
We were built by war widows. Today, we support all families of veterans across Australia.
The Families of Veterans Guild, owned by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd, is Australia’s first and only organisation uniting all defence and veteran families under one banner. Through peer support, advocacy and trauma-informed services, we stand with war widows, defence and veteran families across the full life cycle of service — spouses, partners, widows, parents, siblings, children and carers of current and former Australian Defence Force members.
We are not moving beyond war widows. We are extending what they built. The need for connection, advocacy and support continues across generations of veteran families — and the Guild is here for them, as we have always been here for the widows who founded us.
The Guild’s future: national advocacy for veteran families
The 80th anniversary is a moment to look back and also to look forward to what comes next.
80 years on, the Guild is stronger and more relevant than ever, and our role continues to grow in response to the needs of today’s veteran families. In November 2026, timed to the founding of the national Guild, we will launch our national advocacy platform — confirming the Guild as the ongoing national voice for war widows and veteran families.
The Guild was one of the most influential women’s advocacy groups of its time. We intend to make it so again.
Think Big! — Wear your prettiest hat — Tell that man behind the desk he’s here to help you!”
Jessie Vasey CBE OBE, 1946
80th anniversary events across Australia
Across the anniversary year, we are bringing war widows and veteran families together through a series of gatherings, recognitions and shared moments.
From small local catch-ups to larger milestone events, the program will run across New South Wales, South Australia and key national locations. Some events will be community-based and open to members, while others will be hosted with partners and held by invitation.
What matters is that the anniversary is felt wherever you are — not only at major events, but through connection, recognition and the chance to come together across the year.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, or contact us to find out what’s happening near you.
80 years of stories
Honouring those who built the Guild
Our story is not one story. It is thousands. The Guild we have today was built by war widows and by the people who led it across eight decades. Our honour roll recognises past officeholders and the war widows who came before us.
Across the anniversary year, we are collecting and sharing short reflections from war widows who have been part of our story and helped shape the Guild.
You can share a written reflection of your experience with a photo, a key moment or an object with a story behind it. With your permission, your story may appear in our War Widows Honour Roll, on this website and in our anniversary materials.
Apart from my family, the Guild is my life — it is my life.”
Beryl Page
Former State President
Friendship has been the thing that has been so important. It’s easy to make a friendship when somebody understands your situation — they’ve had grief, and they feel that the other person understands them.”
Merle Dwyer
Coogee-Randwick Club
There’s something between us — nothing said, but we still have that feeling of belonging.”
Ruby Myers
Foundation member of the Lismore Guild Club (1951)
How to get involved with the Guild’s 80th anniversary
Frequently asked questions
What is the Families of Veterans Guild?
The Families of Veterans Guild is an Australian organisation, owned by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd, that supports war widows, defence and veteran families. Founded in 1946, it is Australia’s first and only organisation uniting all defence and veteran families under one banner, providing peer support, advocacy and trauma-informed services.
When was the Guild founded?
The Guild was founded on 4 June 1946, when war widows in New South Wales came together for the first time at the inaugural meeting of the War Widows’ Craft Guild. The 80th anniversary falls on 4 June 2026.
Who was Jessie Vasey?
Jessie Vasey CBE OBE founded the Guild in 1946 after the death of her husband, Major General George Vasey. She built the organisation on rights, independence and self-determination rather than charity, and led it until her death in 1966.
What does "Together We Still Stand" mean?
“Together We Still Stand — 80 years of bringing out the best in each other” is the Guild’s 80th anniversary theme. It draws on Jessie Vasey’s founding vision and on what war widows and veteran families say the Guild gives them: belonging, understanding and strength in each other.
Who does the Guild support today?
The Guild supports war widows, defence and veteran families across Australia — spouses, partners, widows, parents, siblings, children and carers of current and former Australian Defence Force members, across the full life cycle of service.
What is War Widows Day?
War Widows Day recognises war widows and their contribution. The Guild marks War Widows Day each October, and in 2026 it forms part of the 80th anniversary program, alongside a luncheon at NSW Parliament House.
When is the 80th anniversary, and how long does the program run?
The 80th anniversary falls on 4 June 2026. The anniversary program runs from 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2027, with events and stories across the year.
How can I get involved or share my story?
You can share a story, follow #TogetherWeStillStand on social media, attend a regional gathering, or support the Guild’s work. War widows can connect with their local club. To share a story, use the link on this page.
About the Families of Veterans Guild
The Families of Veterans Guild was founded in 1946 by war widows who came together to advocate for fair recognition and support one another. Owned by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd, we are Australia’s first and only organisation uniting all defence and veteran families under one banner. Through peer support, advocacy and trauma-informed services, we stand with war widows, defence and veteran families across the full life cycle of service.
Media enquiries
For media enquiries about the 80th anniversary, contact the Families of Veterans Guild Communications team at communications@fov.org.au.
The Guild 80th anniversary: key facts
Who we are
The Families of Veterans Guild, owned by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd
Founding date
4 June 1946, in New South Wales
Our founder
Jessie Vasey CBE OBE
Anniversary
4 June 2026 — 80 years