Australian War Widows WA Inc

Australian War Widows WA Inc GUILD MOTTO:
We all belong to each other. We all need each other. Many war widows, especially those with small children to support, now lived in near poverty.

It is in serving each other and in sacrificing for our common good that we are finding our true life BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GUILD
While may were celebrating the end of the war in 1945, thousands of war widows faced an uncertain future without their husbands. Although Prime Minister John Curtin addressed the issue of war widows’ pensions as part of his Post War Reconstruction initiatives, the pension

was well below the basic wage. It is under these circumstances, that Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey, the widow of Major General George Alan Vasey, established the War Widows’ Craft Guild, first in Victoria and then in other states. In Western Australia, the Guild held its first meeting, chaired by Mrs Vasey, on 29 November 1946. The inaugural State President was Mrs Marjorie Learmonth, widow of RAAF pilot Charles Learmonth. For many war widows it was in meeting together that they found support from others who understood their own experiences of grief and loss. Mrs Vasey firmly believed in self-help instead of charity, and the Guild fought to have war widows’ pensions seen as compensation for their husband’s lives rather than a government handout. During the early years, members undertook training in weaving and various crafts to supplement their meagre pensions. A speciality of the war widows was rug making, exquisite embroidery work and weaving. As a national body under Mrs Vasey’s leadership, the Guild became a powerful lobby group on behalf of all war widows influencing the government on issues such as accrued recreation leave, pensions and health care. In Western Australia, the Guild became an incorporated body in 1949. The Guild continues to provide the information and support for war widows from all areas of conflict. As the war widow population ages, one of the key issues is one of social isolation. The Guild provides opportunities for its members to meet together weekly at its community centre, as well as regular day outings. It has also organised overseas trips to Gallipoli and the Western Front. Young war widows have much in front of them in raising children alone. There is still much to be done in ensuring governments continue to provide appropriate assistance. It is also important to ensure that benefits gained are not lost.

The Australian War Widows W.A. Inc. held their Annual General Meeting on Monday 8th June. Thank you to those members and...
09/06/2026

The Australian War Widows W.A. Inc. held their Annual General Meeting on Monday 8th June. Thank you to those members and invited guests who attended. Your continued support is much appreciated. Congratulations to our new Life Member recipient Mrs Sue Wilson.

24/04/2026
04/04/2026

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Easter.

To all our Dear Members, wishing you and your loved ones a joyous festive season, one filled with peace, happiness and l...
25/12/2025

To all our Dear Members, wishing you and your loved ones a joyous festive season, one filled with peace, happiness and love.

The Christmas Lunch and Memorial Service was once again a lovely day. Many of our war widows attended and placed a poppy...
26/11/2025

The Christmas Lunch and Memorial Service was once again a lovely day. Many of our war widows attended and placed a poppy in front of a photograph of their late husbands. A moment to reflect and remember their loved ones.

The Australian War Widow WA Inc celebrated War Widow’s Day on Tuesday 14 October. Our Patrons the Governor of Western Au...
26/11/2025

The Australian War Widow WA Inc celebrated War Widow’s Day on Tuesday 14 October. Our Patrons the Governor of Western Australia the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson hosted a lovely morning tea at Government House.

AUSTRALIAN WAR WIDOWS INC. 80th ANNIVERSARY80 years ago, on 22nd November 1945, our founder Jessie Vasey OBE CBE brought...
21/11/2025

AUSTRALIAN WAR WIDOWS INC. 80th ANNIVERSARY

80 years ago, on 22nd November 1945, our founder Jessie Vasey OBE CBE brought together a group of war widows in Melbourne, Victoria, and formed the Australian War Widows Craft Guild, laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Australian War Widows Inc.

Jessie, herself a war widow following the tragic death of her husband Major General George Alan Vasey, understood firsthand the isolation and hardship these women faced. Her vision was to create a self-help organisation where war widows could find companionship, mutual support, and a collective voice to advocate for their rights and welfare.

The initial meetings focused on practical assistance. Craft groups were formed, providing not only a creative outlet but also a means for widows to supplement their often-meagre pensions through the sale of their craft work. This spirit of self-reliance and shared endeavour quickly resonated, and the Guild expanded across the nation, establishing branches in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

Today, Australian War Widows continues the legacy established by Jessie, providing vital support, advocacy and companionship to war widows across the country. The organisation remains a steadfast beacon of strength, resilience and unwavering support for those and their children who have borne the profound loss of a partner who served our nation. Our history is a testament to the power of unity in the face of adversity.

A very warm, sunny day for Remembrance Day in WA. It was a beautiful service and AWW WA President Emily Cook laid our us...
11/11/2025

A very warm, sunny day for Remembrance Day in WA.

It was a beautiful service and AWW WA President Emily Cook laid our usual “green and gold” wreath on behalf of all war widows at the service in Kings Park.

The flyover by the RAAF was timed to perfection.

Jan McLeod, Vice President, laid a wreath at the City of Stirling service, Committee member Kay Hair laid a wreath at the City of Wanneroo service and Hazel Donald, June Keane and Marjorie Askew attended the service at Mt Lawley and laid a wreath.

Thank you ladies for representing AWW WA once again.

Sharing Australian War Widows Inc post.
17/10/2025

Sharing Australian War Widows Inc post.

Address

15 Plantation Street
Menora, WA

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 2:30am
Tuesday 8:30am - 2:30am
Wednesday 8:30am - 2:30am

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