South Australian war widows honoured with annual day of commemoration
More than 3000 war widows reside in South Australia, with an annual day of commemoration set to highlight the sacrifices they have made after losing their loved ones.
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South Australia has joined Queensland and NSW with a day of recognition to honour more than 3000 war widows living in the state.
War Widows Day will take place in SA on October 14, with Veteran Affairs Minister Geoff Brock visiting Port Pirie RSL for the announcement today and the Australia War Widows SA’s annual Soldiers’ Biscuit launch.
“We’re very lucky to be where we are today because of the people who’ve made sacrifices in the past and it’s important to acknowledge the people are still suffering because of these losses,” Mr Brock said.
Australian War Widows SA president Diane Carr said they were grateful the state government had chosen to honour defence families who had lost a loved one.
“It means a lot to have the recognition because often we’re in the background, we have so many other commemoration days so it’s important for us to be recognised and be as one group rather than fragmented between different excerpts and organisations,” she said.
“Initially the Australian War Widows were one unit, but in different states, unfortunately because we’re all so far apart so we don’t always get to join together.
“What we’re hoping for in future is a national day of recognition, not just a state-by-state one.”
The War Widows’ Guild of Australia was established by Jessie Vasey in 1945, with their birthday chosen as the commemoration date.
Jessie Vasey dedicated her life to bringing war widows together to speak with one voice in the improvement of their circumstances and ensure widows and families received pensions, social connections and housing.
Queensland was the first Australian state to announce an annual day of commemoration for War Widows Day in 2021, with NSW following in 2022.
Premier Peter Malinauskas thanked SA’s war widows for their dedication and sacrifice.
“It is important that we acknowledge these families in our community that have faced unthinkable grief but who, in true Defence family style, demonstrate resilience and strength after losing a loved one to service,” he said.
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