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The Australian War Widows NSW is acknowledging and paying tribute to the war widows of the past and present with a day of recognition, via the first-ever War Widows Day this year.
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The first-ever War Widows Day, has been established by Australian War Widows NSW (AWWNSW) to honour war widows and widowers, and is set to be held in NSW on 19 October.
For the past 76 years, AWWNSW has been focused on promoting and protecting the interests of women and veteran families. The inclusive, not-for-profit organisation is showing recognition for the day via a number of events and fundraising campaigns as one-in-five Australian households have connections to our defence forces.
According to Queen Dunbar, AWWNSW state president, War Widows Day is meant for those who are connected through a truly unique lived experience of Defence service, who could now rest easy knowing their sacrifices for Australia has been recognised.
“As a war widow myself, the creation and recognition of this day is very important to [me], my family and the community.”
“We have all been through tough times together, listening and supporting each other through the good and bad days, providing a shoulder to cry on or a chuckle to get us through the dark times.”
“The creation of War Widows Day means the NSW Government is also there supporting us and our community who have already given so much; for that, we are truly thankful,” Dunbar said.
The events have been established to give opportunity to those who would like to be involved and recognise this important group of women.
AWWNSW will be hosting a commemorative service at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park at 3pm. This service is open to the general public and will shine a light on the stories of a number of war widows from all backgrounds.
NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet and NSW Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney, David Elliott will host an official war widow reception at Parliament House following the event at the Anzac Memorial.
Premier Perrottet noted that the War Widows Day was an opportunity to acknowledge the personal sacrifice made by more than 15,000 surviving widows and widowers of servicemen and servicewomen across NSW.
“The establishment of a special day is an important step in recognising and honouring war widows and widowers of those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Perrottet said.
War widows and widowers are the backbone of veteran families and setting aside a day, every year with Minister Elliott, encouraging all communities to focus on the significant contributions made by the families of those who serve in the defence forces.
“War Widows Day reminds us to remember and acknowledge the resilient defence force families in our communities, many who have faced enormous grief,” Minister Elliott said.
This day is for all who have mourned the loss of their spouses and partners, Dunbar added, as a result of their contributions and services to Australia and the Australian Defence Force.
[Related: Defence establishes new naval shipbuilding group]
