New day to acknowledge NSW war widows
A message from the Australian War Widows NSW Ltd (AWW NSW)
We are honoured to have joined with the NSW Government and our Patron the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, in announcing that 19 October will now be known as War Widows’ Day in NSW.
The announcement took place at the Premier’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day reception at Government House. NSW Minister for Veterans’, the Hon David Elliot acknowledged the importance of recognising the more than 15,000 widows in NSW.
Former State and National President, and Vietnam War Widow, Ms Meg Green AM attended the reception and expressed gratitude and the importance of the day for our community and for the Australian community.
In addition, Ms Queen Dunbar, State President, AWW NSW, said, ‘This day is for all who have been touched and bereaved by the death of their spouses as a result of their Defence service’.
Since the First World War, war widows have been part of the fabric of NSW, contributing in many ways to this wonderful community. While definitions of war widows have changed over time one thing hasn’t, and that is their sacrifices.
We are very grateful to have those recognised in perpetuity, in what is the first day that honours the significance of the sacrifices of veterans’ families.
19 October is significant as it is the birthday of our founder Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE CBE. Jessie started more than just an organisation to support war widows and advocate for their needs. She created a community and a movement – one that resulted in widows being included in the veteran system. At AWW NSW we look forward to extending this vision to all veterans’ families.
We know you will all be as deeply touched and moved by the NSW Government’s support and recognition of war widows and widowers as we are.
Governor of NSW and Patron of AWW NSW Margaret Beazley AC QC, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, NSW Minister for Veterans David Elliot, former State and National President Meg Green AM and Board Director Lynne Boyd together with Vietnam War widows