High tea at NSW Parliament House – Penrith War Widows Social Club
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.
