Families of Veterans Guild

Watercolour painting for Adelaide veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:28:09 +0000

Afternoon watercolour painting session for war widows, defence and veteran families

Set aside an afternoon just for you! War widows, defence and veteran families are warmly invited to join us on 6 May 2026 for a relaxed watercolour painting session and afternoon tea in Rose Park, a chance to get creative, and spend time with others who understand what defence life feels like.

This hands-on activity is facilitated by our Wellbeing Team and is our first popular watercolour activity in Adelaide!

Watercolour painting

War widows, defence and veteran families are warmly invited to join us for a relaxing watercolour painting session and afternoon tea. Enjoy a creative activity in a welcoming setting, meet some of our team in person, and connect with others who understand the unique experiences of Defence life. Whether you’re looking to unwind through creativity, meet new people, or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon out, we’d love to see you there.

There is no cost for this activity. Your watercolour painting session and afternoon will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “The craft day was a wonderful way to focus on self-care, enjoy a relaxing activity, and build connections with others.”

Event information

Location: 141 Fullarton Road Rose Park SA.
Date and Time: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 1pm – 3pm.
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 5 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Watercolour painting for Adelaide veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Sound immersion session for Adelaide veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:25:25 +0000

Experience sound immersion: free session for defence and veteran families

On Monday 18 May 2026, you’re invited to join us at Beefacres Community Hall for a free sound immersion session. This practice uses soothing instruments and mindful breathing to help you relax, restore balance and create a sense of calm.

It’s a simple way to pause, recharge and connect with others in a supportive environment. All you need to do is come along and enjoy the experience, everything else is taken care of by our Wellbeing Team.

Sound immersion session

Defence and veteran families are warmly invited to join us for a calming sound immersion session. Led by Chris from Harmonic Essence, this deeply relaxing sound bath uses a blend of gongs, singing bowls, chimes, drums, flute, and vocal toning to guide you into a meditative state that supports stress reduction, improved wellbeing, and deep rest. No experience needed, simply come along and relax in a comfortable position.

With over 30 years of musical experience and extensive training in sound healing, Chris creates a unique and restorative experience designed to calm the nervous system and leave you feeling refreshed and recharged. It’s also a chance to meet our team and connect with others who understand Defence life in a peaceful, welcoming setting.

There is no cost for this activity. Your sound healing session will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “The sound immersion session was a wonderful way to unwind, deeply relax, and reconnect with myself.”

Event information

Location: Beefacres Community Hall, Pittwater Road, Windsor Gardens SA.
Date and Time: Monday 18 May 2026, 9.15am – 11am.
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 17 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Sound immersion session for Adelaide veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

No deterrence without retention: National Defence Strategy

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:46:59 +0000

By Renee Wilson, CEO, Families of Veterans Guild

Yesterday the Australian Government announced the biggest peacetime defence spend in our nation’s history. Nuclear submarines. Ghost Shark drones. Hypersonic missiles. A strategy built for what is looking to be the most challenging era since World War II for our nation.

Buried deep in the document, there is a short section about people — our “most important capability” — with a thank you to ADF members and their families for their “continued commitment and service.” A thank you. After everything they give and will be expected to give. I am sure it is appreciated, but where is the firm commitment of an investment in people and their families in the $53bn boost to defence?

The 2026 National Defence Strategy set out yesterday should be a wake-up call for Australia. We are living in dangerous times and need people willing to stand in the path of that danger. Their families will also need to make extraordinary sacrifices so Australia can remain strong, peaceful, and secure — these families will carry the long-term consequences of their loved ones’ service. In the 98-page document families are only mentioned four times.

Meaningful action for families is a national imperative

Like in the Strategy, people are repeatedly described as Defence’s most important capability, yet they remain chronically underinvested in. While the rhetoric around people and defence and veteran families is shifting — with families finally starting to receive more airtime in Defence and veteran circles — it is time to move beyond words and turn that recognition into meaningful action and investment.

Meaningful action has been lacking for defence and veteran families for some time because the system of care and its key players assume:

Family support must be conditional on what has happened to a veteran.
Families are supported when the veteran is supported.
Families do not need support because they did not serve.

Our 2025 Veteran Families Survey conducted by YouGov, which spoke with nearly 600 family members of current and former ADF personnel, tells a different story. More than half (52%) of Australian defence and veteran families experienced mental health challenges. Anxiety. Depression. PTSD. They are twice as likely to face these challenges as the average Australian. Yet only 36% believe Australia’s mental health services service their unique needs.

Almost half also reported difficulties accessing basic healthcare. GPs. Specialists. Hospitals. Not specialist trauma care — basic healthcare. Furthermore, a third of those with a person with disability in their household couldn’t access the services they needed.

And Veteran families aren’t just sacrificing their health; they’re sacrificing their livelihood as well. Our survey showed they experience unemployment at more than three times the rate of the general population. Three times. Unsurprisingly, more than half are worried about their finances, which no doubt is being exacerbated by the current impact of the fuel crisis on our economy.

These are not edge cases. These are the families of the people we are now asking to crew our submarines, operate our drones, and staff the force that will supposedly deter conflict across the Indo-Pacific.

A self-reliant Australia must support defence and veteran families

The 2026 National Defence Strategy speaks of self-reliance. Of denial. Of deterrence. But there is nothing self-reliant about a force whose families are quietly breaking under the weight of service. There is no deterrence without retention. And there is no retention without genuinely supporting the people who sit at home through deployments, pack up their lives for the fourth posting in six years, and watch their own careers slowly disappear.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was explicit: families are central to the veteran system and are under-supported. That was not a suggestion. It was a finding.

We have the evidence. We have the data. We have the voices telling the government exactly what they need. What we do not yet have is veteran and defence families being recognised as the defence capability priority that they should be — not a welfare afterthought, but a core pillar of current and future capability.

The Families of Veterans Guild is calling, again, for a Ministerial Advisory Body dedicated to the needs of veteran and defence families. We are calling for the Veteran White Card for mental health to be extended to immediate family members. We are calling for family support to be named — explicitly, funded, and measured — in the next iteration of this strategy.

The Strategy and Integrated Investment Program contain a very serious $425 billion commitment to keeping Australia safe. We do not dispute the need. But you cannot build a force of that scale and ambition while continuing to treat its families as an afterthought or feel-good statement.

The families of our veterans and serving members enable defence. They champion it. They dedicate their lives to it. It is time the defence and its strategy said so — and tangibly proved its commitment.

The post No deterrence without retention: National Defence Strategy first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Trivia night for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:50:16 +0000

Online Trivia session for war widows, defence and veteran families

Join us on Thursday 26 February for a fun and relaxed online trivia session facilitated by our Wellbeing Team. Whether you’re going solo or have a team, the evening will offer a simple way to unwind, share a laugh, and connect with others in the veteran community while taking part in an interactive trivia game from the comfort of home.

You’re free to join in on your own, with a friend or with your family beside you and enjoy time with others with a chance to win a $20 Coles voucher!

Trivia night

War widows, defence, and veteran families are warmly invited to come together online for a fun online trivia activity. This family-friendly session is designed to encourage connection, laughter, and positive social interaction.

Facilitated by Hayley and Evelyn, you will take part in a 1 hour interactive trivia session hosted on Kahoot. Trivia questions will include a mix of movies, animals, fun facts, and general knowledge, making the activity suitable for all ages and abilities. No trivia experience is needed!

Participants need to create a free Kahoot account prior to the session. Instructions and the game PIN will be provided at the start of the activity.

To make the activity even more enjoyable, each registered family will receive a snack pack to enjoy during the session.

There is no cost for this activity.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “It was a pleasure to be part of such a positive and supportive space. I’m thankful for the opportunity to enjoy an activity while building connections with others.”

Event information

Location: Online (Zoom link will be emailed to you).
Date and Time: Friday 15 May 2026, 7pm – 8pm (AEST).
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 4 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Trivia night for veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Sound immersion session for Canberra veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:49:41 +0000

Experience sound immersion: free session for war widows, defence and veteran families

On Sunday 17 May 2026, you’re invited to join us at Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda for a free one-hour sound immersion session. This gentle practice uses soothing instruments and mindful breathing to help you relax, restore balance and create a sense of calm.

Sound immersion session

War widows, defence and veteran families are warmly invited to come and try a sound immersion. Enjoy 1 hour of sound immersion at Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda. Sound immersions are designed to help create calm, bring balance, soothe the nervous system, and heal stored emotions. Lying down comfortably for 60 minutes, experience deep relaxation as you journey through mindful, relaxed breathing and the resonance of a range of instruments, including Tibetan crystal bowls. As you allow and let go of mental clutter, sound helps you develop an enduring presence, amplifying feelings of peace and profound inner calm.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water and yoga mat. Blankets and bolsters are provided on the day. Feel free to bring your own pillow and blanket.

Please arrive at the studio at 1.50pm to settle in. The class starts at 2 pm sharp, and doors will be closed at this time to avoid disrupting the session.

Waiver form

Please complete the form and agree to Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda’s participation and health waiver to participate in the sound healing session.

Location and parking

Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda is located on the ground floor of the EMBARK building at G06/253 Northbourne Avenue. They are in the Northern building, facing Northbourne.

Street parking is accessible behind the EMBARK building in Lyneham as directed and a 4P car park is nearby on De Burgh St, via Wattle St. More 2P parking is available in Lyneham on the street as directed and off Northbourne Ave heading north before EMBARK. Walk around the front after you park. You can also park in the MANTRA hotel and walk up. There is no parking available on Northbourne Ave.

There is no cost for this activity. Your sound healing session will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with such a supportive group. It was a perfect way to focus on self-care and make meaningful connections with others.”

Event information

Location: Flow and Food Yoga & Ayurveda, G06/253 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham ACT.
Date and Time: Sunday 17 May 2026, 1.50pm – 3pm.
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 14 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Sound immersion session for Canberra veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Writing through grief online

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:39:41 +0000

Creative writing session focused on grief for war widows, defence and veteran families

Born from an idea shared by a war widow, our Writing Through Grief sessions offer a safe space to express grief. Over time, with many returning participants, the sessions have grown into a place where people feel acknowledged, heard and supported. These sessions are facilitated by our Wellbeing Team and offer a supportive environment to explore experiences and emotions that are often difficult to voice.

Over time, many attendees have returned again and again, looking forward to reconnecting each time we host this activity. This group is still growing and welcoming to newcomers.

Join us on Thursday 14 May 2026 to use creative writing as a tool to separate the person from the grief/loss/pain, enabling us to step back and see things in a different way.

Writing session

War widows, defence and veteran families are invited to come together online for a session of creative writing with a focus on grief. Facilitated by social workers, Gabby and Evelyn, you will explore creative writing as a therapeutic tool which can take many different forms including poetry, short stories, letters, and reflective journaling. As a group we will explore the theme of grief which may be experienced in the Defence community in a variety of ways including bereavement, deployment, transition, relocation etc.

It is important for participants to be informed that we will be exploring themes of grief in this activity and are advised to participate at their own discretion. This is not a counselling session however our qualified social workers can explore referrals to such supports as needed.

There is no cost for this activity. Your materials will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to connect with such a wonderful group. It was such a great opportunity to do a self-care activity and get to know some of the other attendees at the same time.”

Event information

Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent to you).
Date and Time: Thursday 14 May 2026, 6pm – 7.30pm (AEST).
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 4 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Writing through grief online first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Update on War Widows South Australia

Caroline Kirche — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:58:56 +0000

The Families of Veterans Guild is proud to support South Australia’s war widows and veteran families. Our utmost priority is ensuring their wellbeing by providing the advocacy, connection and social work support programs they deserve and rely on.

Reflecting this, we are very disappointed that South Australian war widows are being used, without their consent, as part of the East Resident’s Group campaign in Rose Park. We have been working diligently to ensure impacted war widows have access to support, but remain concerned about the welfare, wellbeing and safety impact this activity is having on them.

We value our relationship with ACH which provides vital accommodation services to South Australia’s war widows. We recognise this new development is necessary because existing facilities are no longer suitable for the evolving needs of older residents, including the war widows who reside there.

We are pleased that alongside these developments ACH is committed to maintaining the deep connection local war widows have with Rose Park by providing a new purpose-built meeting hall and office at no cost. We are also pleased that the historic Vasey House will be restored as part of the development, honouring the legacy of our founder Ms Jessie Vasey CBE OBE.

Our focus remains on protecting war widows’ wellbeing and ensuring they receive the modern, respectful housing they have earned through their and their veterans’ service.”

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.

The post Update on War Widows South Australia first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Mindful mini kitchen: clay based workshop for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:47:38 +0000

Try clay art: free workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families

On Thursday 28 May 2026, we’re cooking up breads, cakes and charcuterie with one ingredient; clay! Join us at this mindful mini kitchen clay workshop where you will be sent a clay kit and be guided by our Wellbeing Team in the making of your mini foods.

This session is open to all defence and veteran families, including war widows, partners, carers and children. No experience is needed. Just come along, get hands-on with clay, and enjoy an evening of creativity and connection.

Mindful mini kitchen clay session

War widows, defence and veteran Families are invited to join a creative evening of clay art. Indulge in some crafting time as you make little mini food creations. You will be provided with a kit to make a breadbasket, charcuterie board and blueberry earrings plus step-by-step instructions to make a strawberry cake out of polymer clay. Facilitated by social workers, Evelyn and Gabby, this session offers a relaxed space where participants can connect with each other through creativity while crafting adorable miniature food pieces from the comfort of home.

Working with polymer clay encourages creativity, relaxation, and self-expression. The hands-on process of shaping and designing tiny food creations provides a soothing way to slow down, focus on the present moment, and enjoy mindful making. Participants are provided an opportunity to unwind, enjoy light conversation, and create at their own pace in a friendly and welcoming environment.

No prior experience is required, and all skill levels are warmly welcomed. One polymer clay mini food kit will be provided per household.

There is no cost for this activity. Your polymer clay kit will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I really enjoyed unwinding and chatting to others online. It was an enjoyable creative opportunity for self care.”

Event information

Location: Online via zoom (link will be sent to you).
Date and Time: Thursday 28 May 2026, 6.30pm – 8pm (AEST).
Registrations: Open NOW. Registrations close 15 May.
Cost: FREE for families of veterans.

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au.

The post Mindful mini kitchen: clay based workshop for veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

April wellbeing tips for veteran families

Kelly Taylor — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:44:09 +0000

Sharing our latest wellbeing tips for war widows, defence and veteran families

Periods of deployment and extended absences are a familiar part of life for many defence families. While distance can bring added emotional and practical challenges, it can also highlight the many meaningful ways families continue to stay connected. Maintaining wellbeing during these times often relies on intention, creativity, and the strength of community.

This month, we’re sharing wellbeing tips from our latest Wellbeing Newsletter that focus on nurturing connection during deployment and absence, the benefits of paying it forward, and the importance of remembrance and reflection.

Maintaining connection during deployment and absences

For many defence families, periods of deployment or training away from home are a familiar part of life. While these times can bring challenges, they also reveal the remarkable adaptability and creativity of families who find ways to stay connected across distance. Social connection does not always rely on being in the same place as it can grow through small, intentional gestures that remind us we are valued and remembered.

During deployment and absence, small routines can become powerful anchors. A handwritten letter, photo update, pre-recorded audio message or a care package can offer comfort for both the sender and receiver. These intentional routines become touchpoints that strengthen emotional connection and help maintain a sense of closeness during long stretches apart.

Sharing experiences in creative ways

Connection doesn’t always mean constant communication. Sometimes it’s about finding creative ways to share experiences. Some families keep a journal that travels back and forth, gradually weaving together two perspectives into one story. Others swap playlists filled with songs that capture their mood or memories. These gestures create bridges between two worlds, helping each person feel included in the other’s life.

For those at home, connection with community can be just as important as direct contact with loved ones. Defence partners, widows, and families often turn to each other for practical support, understanding, and companionship. Spending time with others who share similar experiences can ease feelings of isolation and strengthens resilience. Community groups, social clubs, and informal catchups become important anchors, offering a sense of belonging during times of transition or uncertainty.

Ultimately, maintaining connection during deployment isn’t only about staying in touch – it’s about nurturing hope, stability, and emotional closeness. Whether through a simple message, a shared ritual, or the support of community, these moments remind defence families that even when distance cannot be avoided, they are never navigating it alone. The bonds formed and strengthened during these times remain a powerful source of resilience, comfort, and wellbeing.

Paying it forward: A mindful practice inspired by Brené Brown

Mindfulness isn’t only about meditation or calm moments; it’s also about the way we choose to show up in everyday life. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and wholehearted living reminds us that mindfulness begins with awareness of our own emotions and continues in how we connect with others. One meaningful way to nurture this kind of presence is through the simple act of paying it forward.

Brené emphasises that connection is built through small moments of courage, empathy, and kindness. When we hold space for someone having a hard day, offer a helping hand without being asked, or express appreciation just because it feels right, we practice mindful compassion. These gestures may seem small, but they ripple outward, reinforcing the message that we belong to each other.

Pairing awareness with intentional kindness

For individuals and families alike, mindfulness can be as simple as pausing during a busy day to notice our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. When we pair that awareness with action; choosing kindness, patience, or generosity, we bring Brené’s teachings to life. Paying it forward becomes a way to honour both our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around us.

Brené often highlights that meaningful change happens in ordinary moments. A friendly message, a supportive conversation, or an unexpected act of generosity can shift someone’s entire day. And when these acts are grounded in mindfulness, they remind us to be intentional, compassionate, and present.

This month, consider choosing one small way to pay it forward. Whether it’s offering time, encouragement, or kindness, your action can spark a chain reaction of positivity. In showing up for others, we also reconnect with ourselves, and together we can create a more wholehearted, mindful, and connected community.

Importance of taking time to remember and reflect

Taking time to remember and reflect can be a powerful way to gain insight and carry forward valuable lessons to share with others. Looking back on both the challenges and meaningful moments of our lives allows us to gain perspective, recognise personal growth, and preserve memories that matter. When these reflections are shared with others, they can provide reassurance, guidance, and a sense of continuity within the community.

Reflection can take many forms. It might involve sharing stories about managing deployments, relocations, or the emotional ups and downs of service life. It can also include remembering moments of connection, achievement, or resilience, times when families found strength in one another or in their wider community. By talking about these experiences, veteran families can offer newer members practical insight into navigating Defence life while normalising the emotions that come with it.

Learning from challenges and lived wisdom

Reflecting also encourages us to recognise the lessons we’ve learned. What strategies helped you cope during difficult times? Which routines, support networks, or personal habits provided structure? Sharing these reflections allows others to benefit from hard earned wisdom while also fostering a sense of belonging and shared understanding.

For those doing the reflecting, the process itself can be deeply rewarding. Looking back on life experiences can highlight personal growth, resilience, and achievements that might otherwise be overlooked. It can reaffirm the value of one’s contributions to family and community and strengthen the connections that make the veteran family network so supportive.

Remembering and reflecting isn’t just about the past, it’s about using experience to support others, strengthen bonds, and carry forward the lessons that matter most.

Subscribe to our Wellbeing Newsletter for monthly updates on all activities available in your area, what’s been happening in our Wellbeing Program and also for more tips like this.

The post April wellbeing tips for veteran families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

ANZAC Field of Remembrance: how families remember ahead of ANZAC Day

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:48:16 +0000

Each year in the lead-up to ANZAC Day, families across Australia take a moment to remember in their own way.

For many, that moment is the ANZAC Field of Remembrance.

What is the ANZAC Field of Remembrance?

The ANZAC Field of Remembrance began in 1952. It was created by war widows who wanted a place to lay their own tributes ahead of ANZAC Day.

It remains a deeply personal act of remembrance.

Each tribute carries a name — and behind that name is a person who was loved, and a family who continues to carry their memory.

This is one of the few moments in the commemorations calendar where families are not watching from the side-lines. They are at the centre of a service.

Why remembrance in ANZAC Month matters

ANZAC Day holds national meaning. But the days leading to it matter too. For widows and veteran families, remembrance is personal, it isn’t just a public commemoration.

The ANZAC Field of Remembrance creates space to pause ahead of ANZAC Day. It allows families to remember in their own time, in their own way, alongside others who understand.

It is a moment to reflect on service, loss, and the ongoing impact that service has on families.

Three ways to take part

This ANZAC Month, there are three ways to take part in the ANZAC Field of Remembrance.

Lay a tribute in the Virtual Field of Remembrance: You can add a name, a message, and a symbol. Each tribute becomes part of a permanent Field that remains open year-round.

Attend the Sydney service or watch the livestream: The service will be held on 23 April at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Families can attend in person or take part from home.

Join a regional gathering: Across regional NSW, families come together to watch the service and lay tributes locally. Registrations are essential, call us on (02) 9267 6577 or email warwidows@fov.org.au.

Each option offers a way to remember and be part of something shared.

A place to return to

The Virtual Field of Remembrance extends this tradition.

It creates a place where tributes remain visible over time. Families can return on anniversaries, birthdays, ANZAC Day, or any day that matters.

It is a simple way to ensure a name is seen, remembered, and carried forward.

Who will you remember?

This ANZAC Month, take a moment to lay a tribute, attend a service or join a gathering.

Because every name represents a life that is still remembered and carried by someone.

The post ANZAC Field of Remembrance: how families remember ahead of ANZAC Day first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.