Younger Members Social Club Christmas luncheon
The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection and community, and the Younger Members War Widows Social Club truly embodies this spirit. Every year, many of our war widows social clubs come together to host their own Christmas parties and this year was no exception, with many clubs having a meeting during December, exactly how our younger members did.
On Tuesday, 26 November, an incredible 46 war widows from the younger members war widows gathered at the Mazzaro Restaurant on Elizabeth Street, Sydney, for a festive celebration to remember. Surrounded by the stunning views of the nearby Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, the atmosphere was alive with laughter, chatter and, of course, Christmas fun.
Frances Goddard and Lynne Sullivan worked throughout the year to ensure this event was a success and down in the books, their efforts definitely paid off. From securing exclusive use of the restaurant to curating a warm and inclusive environment, every detail reflected their dedication.
War widows sharing special moments with their peers
Member Jenny Ware shared her personal experience of the festive lunch; “The food was magnificent, as usual, and the staff made each of us feel like VIPs,” she said, “the raffle added to the fun, with wallets rattling and laughter filling the room.”
This years luncheon also saw the arrival of several new war widows in the younger members club, who were warmly welcomed. These newcomers quickly became part of the community, joining longstanding members in building bonds that will grow stronger in the years to come.
“We no longer have our men and the lives we envisaged enjoying into old age, but the joy of breaking bread and celebrating with each other adds such a powerful reminder of our motto, part of which says, ‘… We all belong to each other. We all need each other…’ Our men would surely be proud of the lives we are embracing.” Jenny Ware’s words sum up the impact of well prepared, beautiful social support that members receive from their social clubs on special days like these.
Events like this one remind us of the strength found in community and the importance of coming together to support, celebrate, and inspire one another. If you’re interested in joining a war widows social club in your area, contact the War Widows Program team at (02) 9267 6577 or email programs@fov.org.au.
