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The Families of Veterans Guild is calling on Australians to recognise over 32,000 war widows around the nation and help put an end to the social isolation this group can often face, for this War Widows Day on 19 October.
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Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) data spotlights that loneliness is the primary challenge following spousal death, pointing to the role of social interaction in alleviating loneliness.
In Australia, just over one in seven (15 per cent) experience social isolation and one in six (16 per cent) experience loneliness. However, for those connected to the Defence forces, particularly those who have lost someone to service, this statistic is much higher.
War Widows Day not only pays homage to the sacrifices war widows have made but also amplifies the need for community support in combating social isolation.
“Being a war widow can often be a lonely and nuanced experience due to the complexities of a life tied to the defence and service of Australia,” said Renee Wilson, CEO of Families of Veterans Guild.
“We saw time and time again during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that war widows and veteran families have been the silent pillars of strength for our country, often sacrificing their own wellbeing in the wake of their loved one’s service.”
“As Australians, it’s our duty to stand by them.”
The Families of Veterans Guild – formerly Australian War Widows NSW – has been supporting this important cohort of women for over 75 years.
It was founded by war widows for war widows and ensures that people connected to a veteran family gain access to support, recognition and community.
“It is both our privilege and responsibility to honour their sacrifices and ensure no war widow ever feels alone,” Wilson said.
Social isolation can have damaging effects on mental and physical health. The recent NSW government’s inquiry into the impacts of loneliness has spotlighted the broader societal issue and the necessity for targeted solutions, including those aimed at supporting war widows.
“Veterans make contributions for their nation, as do their families. The challenges the families of veterans face, including grief and isolation, impact in different ways. We honour their resilience in the face of losing loved ones,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“I commend the Families of Veterans Guild for raising awareness about social isolation this War Widows Day.”
To mark War Widows Day, Families of Veterans Guild will be hosting a number of events and fundraisers which people right across Australia can get involved in, including:
- Attending a commemorative service at Sydney’s Martin Place Cenotaph at 10:30am on 19 October 2024. The service is open to all war widows, veteran families and any members of the general public looking to pay their respects.
- Attending a commemoration in regional and rural areas set up by war widows or other services organisations in their communities.
- Buying a widow a coffee campaign which supports Families of Veterans Guild’s delivery of social clubs and guilds. Every dollar donated goes towards bringing widows together for coffee, tea, or cake; socialisation is proving crucial for combatting social isolation.
- Purchasing a limited-release wattle lapel pin of Australia’s national flower representing resilience, strength and solidarity of our war widows and widowers. Wearing the pin is a way for Australians to spread awareness about the unique challenges faced by war widows.
Families of Veterans Guild is also encouraging those who may not be able to contribute to these commemorations or fundraisers to spend time with the war widows in their lives, to remind them they are supported and not alone.
This simple gesture can hold profound significance to combating loneliness among war widows.
