Qld War Widows gather at Gympie Pavilion for Friendship Day

Queensland’s war widows have gathered in Gympie for the first time to mark Friendship Day, arriving from as far north as Townsville and as far west as Ipswich. See the photos, watch the video:

The Pavilion on Gympie’s Southside was abuzz with excited conversation as war widows from across Queensland came together for the annual Friendship Day luncheon on Thursday, September 15.

It was the first time the Gympie branch of the Australian War Widows Qld Gympie Sub-branch hosted the event.

There were also two extra special anniversaries adding to the excitement: Australian War Widows Queensland’s 75th anniversary, and the Gympie Sub-branch’s 40th anniversary.

It was a gathering of the clan, according to Gympie Sub-branch president Maureen Rush.

“Friendship day is the day they all look forward to,” Mrs Rush said.

Check out some of the best shots from the event:

It was a full house at the War Widows Queensland Friendship Day Luncheon at the Pavilion on the Southside of Gympie.

Members of the Gympie Sub-branch (from left) Glenda Standen, Sharan Bavell, Jenny Shores, Pat Harms and Jill Lennon.

It was an extra special day for Lorna Porteus – her 98th birthday!

The excitement in the room was immense, as it was the first time the widows gathered since the pandemic.

Members of the Hervey Bay Sub-branch (from left) Faye Boaden, Jan Boge, Sunee Radford, Edna Murphy and Lynn Glover.

Sharon Blaxter, Brenda McFeeters, Robyn Hussey and Lorna Porteus came from Tewantin to mark the occasion.

Members of the Hervey Bay Sub-branch (from left) Connie Beavan, Linda Wallis and Mary Johnson.

These lovely ladies are all from Hervey Bay. From left, Heather Fazldeen, Lorraine O'Neal, Brenda Winter, Glynis Burns, Roslyn Eley and Olga Frazer.

Pauline Brice from Amamoor caught up with Marissa Catolico, Thelma Bowen and Nimfa S. Gilbert from Southwest Brisbane.

Busloads of war widows from all over the state were excited to attend the Gympie luncheon.

These lovely ladies are all from Hervey Bay. From left, Heather Fazldeen, Lorraine O'Neal, Brenda Winter, Glynis Burns, Roslyn Eley and Olga Frazer.