For many defence and war widows, the lead up to and commemoration of ANZAC Day is a time to reflect, not only on their husbands’ service, but also the battles they brought home. Their husbands are now gone, but for many widows their grief and the trauma they helped nurse are still raw.
Australian War Widows Inc. (AWW) began with the smallest of beginnings, focusing on teaching weaving and handicrafts to members so they could augment the meagre pensions they received after WWII. The War Widows Guild was founded in 1945 by Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE CBE – a most remarkable woman.
It was she who chose the motto for the Guild. The Guild’s motto exemplifies the spirit of Jessie Vasey. She founded a self-help organisation that assisted women widowed through war to come to terms with their loss and sacrifice, and to provide for themselves and their children. It also provided them with a social connection to women who understood only too well the grief and hardship they were suffering.
Jessie stated on numerous occasions that war widows should always be seen as the chief mourners at any service which honours our veterans and she fought long and hard to bring this to fruition. At numerous memorial services around the country, including ANZAC Day, AWW members are invited to lay wreaths on behalf of all war widows to honour their husbands.
On or around ANZAC Day there are many “Field of Remembrance” services throughout Australia that acknowledge war widows and their husbands who gave their lives in service to our country.
To find out where these services are being held please contact the AWW Inc. National Office at wwidowsnat@bigpond.com or by telephone on 0427 735 871.
On October 19 each year, AWW celebrates National War Widows Day to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices that war widows have made. This day, which is her birthday, also honours Jessie Vasey and all the incredible work she did for war widows.
In July 2020, the Guild changed the name of the organisation to Australian War Widows Inc. and going forward AWW ensures that there is always an organisation to look after war widows in need and to advocate on their behalf to the government.
War Widows Motto:
“We all belong to each other, we all need each other It is in serving each other and in sacrificing for our common good that we are finding our true life.”
