War Widows Guild of Australia

‘We all belong to each other. We all
need each other. It is in serving each
other and in sacrificing for the
common good that we are finding
our true life.’
That’s the powerful motto of the
War Widows Guild of Australia and
the words taken from a Christmas
message to the troops sent in 1941
by King George VI.
The War Widows Guild was
established in 1945 by the late Mrs
Jessie Mary Vasey, with the smallest
of beginnings, focusing on teaching
handweaving and other crafts to
women who lost their loved ones to
war. Mrs Vasey singlehandedly grew
the organisation, which now
supports around 61,500 war widows
across Australia.
Not only does the Guild provide
counselling and financial assistance
to war widows, but it’s a safe space
for likeminded women who help
each other heal from their losses.
And it’s only fitting that we
acknowledged the personal
sacrifices made by war widows
across the country on 19 October –
the birthday of the founder,
Mrs Vasey.
A small token from the NSW
Government, but a special day
where the state officially recognised
and honoured the widows of those
who made the ultimate sacrifice to
serve our nation.
Council also played its part by
marking the inaugural War Widows
Day, with a dedication ceremony at
the memorial site at Bass Hill.
It was wonderful to meet and talk to
the beautiful women who have
contributed so much to our City,
and who carry themselves with such
strength and grace.
The ceremony was tinged with a
touch of sadness, as two wreaths
were placed at the memorial site.
One in recognition of War Widows,
and one in memory of Norma Pat
Holdorf, president of the Bankstown
War Widows Guild, who was a driving
influence behind the event.
Yours sincerely,
Clr Khal Asfour
MAYOR