EVENTS
At AWWNSW, we host events for widows and veterans’ families each year, offering an opportunity for war widows to connect, support or commemorate.
MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Major events held annually, include:
- ANZAC Field of Remembrance
- Annual General Meeting
- War Widows Day Service
ANZAC FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE
War widows, women, families, and distinguished guests will continue to gather to remember and commemorate the fallen at the Anzac Field of Remembrance on Friday, 19th April 2024.
This solemn and touching event is held where the tradition began 72 years ago at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
The Anzac Field of Remembrance honours and pays tribute to those who have served and gave their lives in service to our nation. In a moving ceremony, widows and guests plant a cross, lay a wreath, and place a rose for those who have served and sacrificed so much.
This poignant service continues to give the widows of war, and their families the opportunity to continue history and the legacy set back in 1952. It also recognises the losses and sacrifice of war widows and families who bare an enormous burden for our nation and their lifelong role in supporting veterans who have fallen, been wounded, injured or with illness.
2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
More information on our next Annual General Meeting to come.
The Annual General Meeting was held at 10.00am on 29 August 2023 at Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills.
We welcomed members attendance from 9.30am for morning tea prior to the commencement of the meeting. A light lunch followed the meeting for members attending in person.
Members were also able to join us online and had an opportunity to participate in the Q&A through our moderator.
WAR WIDOWS DAY
War widows and veteran families are part of the fabric of Australia – making valuable contributions to our community and advancing social justice issues for over 100 years.
In 2022, War Widows Day was declared an observed day in NSW and QLD, and was shortly followed by declaration in the ACT, SA and WA. With more than 15,000 war widows in NSW alone and 40,000 nationally, and most states and territories recognising their contributions – it’s time for a national day.
This year, AWWNSW partnered with Legacy to recognise war widows and celebrate their contributions to their families, their communities and our nation.
You can find details about the official 2023 War Widows Day events here, as well as other ways to get involved in your local community.
OUR SPACE EVENTS
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide” – Brene Brown.
This is what Our Space is about: creating a place that is for Defence/Veteran Families to connect, meet others like them, build a network and share wonderful insights and powerful stories. Our Space shines the light on the families of our veterans and service personnel.
We know, as many of you do, that Service within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has impacts well beyond the serving member. Families of our veterans are the primary support network for ADF members through their service and beyond, and families too can be affected by the service of their loved ones.
Currently, there are very few programs focused specifically on building connections and establishing informal peer to peer support networks for veterans’ families and contemporary widows. In fact, many families tell us that they often struggle to find and connect to services, have their needs met and are generally isolated within the veteran community. Through Our Space we are seeking to address that.
OUR SPACE ONLINE EVENTS
AWWNSW hosts regular online events, including:
- Town Halls
- Webinars
Invitations to our online events are published below or on our AWWNSW Facebook page, our news page here on our website and via our monthly newsletter.
OUR SPACE ONLINE WEBINAR
‘Let’s talk about grief & loss’
“Where there is trauma, there is grief”, David Kessler – grief expert.
Grief is a common life experience for those connected to Defence service. This webinar is designed to help you navigate the complex and confusing landscape of grief and loss.
Hosted online on 4 December 2023 4:30-5:30pm, this webinar will give you a better understanding of grief and the various losses that lead Veteran families to this shared experience.
You’ll learn how to support yourself and others through the inevitable experience of grief and loss.
