War Widows Day 2025

A message from Australian War Widows (AWW) Inc.

Widows Guild member Sue Doolin lays a branch of wattle at the War Widows Day 2025 Service in Sydney.
Widows Guild member Sue Doolin lays a branch of wattle at the War Widows Day Service in Sydney.

 

War Widows Day (WWD) is observed on 19 October each year – the birthday of our founder Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE CBE. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the organisation. [See Vetaffairs August 2025.] 

In the Northern Territory, an after­noon tea for war and defence widows was held at Parliament House with the continued support of the Minis­ter for Veterans, Jinson Anto Charls. AWW National President Jenny Gregory attended to celebrate the occasion and the 80th anniversary with the war widow community. 

‘This day brings awareness to the widows themselves of the large network of resources and assis­tance that is available to them,' Mrs Gregory said. ‘War and defence widows are the resilient legacy of their service member’s sacrifice for the nation.’ 

This event was made possible by a small group of NT war and defence widows, the NT Government and NT-based ex-service organisations, which provide year-round support to widows in the region. 

In Western Australia, Gover­nor Chris Dawson AC APM and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson – Patrons of Australian War Widows WA Inc – hosted members to a high tea at Government House. The Governor spoke about the ongoing benefits provided by AWW, and acknowl­edged that widows and widowers of war are not just confined to the last century. State President Emily Cook spoke about the legacy of Mrs Jessie Vasey and her tenacity in establishing an influential national lobby group that continues to sup­port widows and families who have borne the profound loss of a partner who served our nation. 

With the support of the ACT Gov­ernment, war widows and guests in the ACT celebrated the Day with a luncheon in Canberra at the Ainslie Football Club. They came together to enjoy one another’s company and the music of Warren Derwent to rec­ognise this special day. 

NT Minister for Veterans Jinson Charls MLA Bonnis Poulter, Jenny Gregory, Christine Nekrasov, and Clinton Howe MLA
NT Minister for Veterans Jinson Charls MLA Bonnis Poulter, Jenny Gregory, Christine Nekrasov, and Clinton Howe MLA

 

In Queensland, War Widows Day was held in conjunction with the inaugural Field of Remembrance (see article on the next page). South Australian war widows commem­orated the day with a luncheon in Daw Park, with members and fam­ilies in attendance. The focus was on coming together to recognise Jessie’s birthday and reflect on their past with fondness and gratitude. 

In New South Wales, the com­memoration brought together hundreds at the Sydney Cenotaph to honour Australia’s war widows and their families. In her address, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC acknowledged the sacrifice of war widows and their families, emphasising that their contribu­tions to Australia’s service history extend far beyond defence service. During the wattle floral tribute, led by Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC and Lady Lynne Cos­grove, war widows paid tribute to one another, acknowledging their shared experiences, loss and resil­ience across generations. 

In Victoria, a small group of war widows and veterans enjoyed a high tea at Vasey RSL Care – Brighton East to commemorate War Widows Day and Jessie’s birthday. Jenny Greg­ory presented a copy of No Mean Destiny – The Story of the War Wid­ow’s Guild of Australia 1945–85 to Kathleen Banks OAM, who is 98 years old, and who attended the first meeting of the guild in Victoria with her mother and Jessie in 1945. 

To learn more about support and services for war and defence wid­ows, please contact the AWW Office on 0427 735 871 or at wwidowsnat@bigpond.com and we will direct you to one of the state branches.