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.

Standing behind and beside our nation’s veterans throughout their service and beyond, war widows and veteran families provide the unwavering support during the ups and downs of military life. Sometimes defence service takes a toll on their loved one’s health – and our war widows are there to carry that burden on behalf of a grateful nation. War widows sacrifice their freedoms to enable their loved one’s service.

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 is partnering 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 below, as well as other ways to get involved in your local community.

Community events

With more than 50% of war widows on our register living regionally, we know how important it is to ensure the day is marked in local communities. We invite every AWWNSW member, as well as Legacy and RSL clubs and branches across the state, to gather on this day and hold a morning tea.

Hosting an event in your community is a wonderful way to honour our war widows and widowers on the day – showing our support and appreciation for their tireless work.  

If you’re organising an event in your local community, we’d love to hear what you are planning. We’re also very happy to share images and communication material to help you promote your activity. Please let us know what your plans are here.