Update on War Widows South Australia

Our work to expand war widows service to South Australia, is well progressed with membership transition well underway and services set to recommence early in 2026. Initial service delivery will focus on social connection, wellbeing activities, and peer support for war widows.

Over the course of 2026 we will also be building and reaffirming relationships with key stakeholders who have supported war widows in South Australia since their establishment in 1946. One critical relationship that War Widows South Australia holds is with the ACH Group, who has provided accommodation services to war widows since 2005.

We have inherited the 20-year relationship with ACH Group on behalf of War Widows South Australia. That relationship commenced in 2005, when War Widows SA sought to gift their property in return for accommodation services, maintenance and upkeep.

The current War Widows site in Rose Park was gifted to ACH Group following a community expression‑of‑interest process undertaken by War Widows SA. In 2005 an agreement was reached under which ACH would provide accommodation services to war widows in return for the property owned by War Widows SA, an arrangement that has operated continuously since that time. This arrangement was formally endorsed by the members of War Widows SA through a Special Resolution passed on 1 April 2005.

Since that time, ACH Group has met their obligations under the 2005 agreement and the services they provide to war widows are intended to continue into the future.

Following the wind‑up of War Widows SA, the previous agreement governing access to the War Widows Hall at Rose Park no longer applies. As a result, a new agreement is required.

We are currently working with ACH Group to establish a new lease arrangement. This will facilitate access to the existing War Widows Hall at Rose Park, as well as a new meeting space planned for later in the year.

We are also aware that ACH Group is also progressing plans to redevelop the Rose Park site. As part of this redevelopment, ACH is building new accommodation for war widows, including a new meeting space to support ongoing social connection, community engagement and peer support.

While plans were already well progressed by the time the Guild was appraised of them, we were briefed on the redevelopment plans in October 2025 and ACH’s approach to supporting and accommodating war widows. Based on current discussions, we understand that ACH intends to continue providing accommodation services to local war widows and provide a place for widows to gather.

In addition to providing accommodation and meeting facilities, we are talking with ACH Group about ways to honour and preserve the heritage of the Rose Park site. This includes ensuring the history and legacy of the War Widows association in South Australia is respected and maintained as part of future development.

We do not own or manage the Rose Park site. Questions specifically relating to the redevelopment of the Rose Park site are best directed to ACH Group.

By expanding into South Australia, the Families of Veterans Guild is continuing the vision and mission inspired by Jessie Vasey CBE OBE— ensuring war widows are supported, connected and remembered.

This expansion reflects our longstanding commitment to ensuring no war widow is left without support, regardless of where they live. As the oldest and largest remaining war widows’ organisation in Australia, the Guild is committed to honouring the legacy of war widows’ associations while providing contemporary support services that meet current and future needs.