SEPTEMBER 2015
EDITORIAL
VP Day – 70 years on
WAR WIDOWS’ GUILD
OF AUSTRALIA
NSW LIMITED
ABN 24 083 075 914
Under the Patronage of His Excellency
General The Honourable
David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d)
Governor of New South Wales
and Mrs Linda Hurley
STATE PRESIDENT
Mrs Meg Green
CHAIR
Ms Helen Wiseman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
K Arthur, M Green, D Haines,
N Isenberg, S Kelly, B Morrison,
W Thompson, J Wheatley, H Wiseman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Patricia Campbell
PRESIDENT’S REPRESENTATIVES
Barbara Jeanes, Gina Parrelli
GUILD DIGEST
ISSN 1449-3691
Editorial Committee
P Campbell, B McMullen
Publisher
War Widows’ Guild of Australia NSW Limited
HEAD OFFICE
Level 2, 175 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Email: guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au
Internet: www.warwidowsnsw.com.au
Telephone: (02) 9267-6577
Facsimile: (02) 9267-6601
On 15 August 2015 it was 70 years since the end of World War II. On
VP Day 1945, at the end of the war, there was much rejoicing in the
streets of the cities and towns around Australia. This was a time of
both celebration and sadness. Nearly one million Australians served
in the War, with about 30,000 of those being captured as Prisoners of
War (POW) and 40,000 making the supreme sacrifice over the six-year
long conflict.
Sadly, it was not the end of war for Australia and the world; we have
seen conflicts in many parts of the world, and our armed forces have
been involved in major conflicts in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
While the community commemorates those who served and those
who died or were injured, many forget the families left behind: the
wives and partners and children, as well as parents and siblings.
One outcome of WWII was the formation of the War Widows’ Guild of
Australia, founded in November 1945 by war widow Mrs Jessie Vasey.
She was a great advocate for war widows and founded a movement to
promote and protect the interests of war widows which has endured
until the present day. Mrs Vasey founded the Guild on the principles
of advocacy, self-help and friendship. War widows today benefit from
the advocacy undertaken by Mrs Vasey and the many women she
inspired, who have continued her work to ensure that war widows are
not forgotten.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Ronaldson, made the
following statement on VP Day: “Today we remember all of those who
served in defence of our nation. We honour their service and pay our
respects to the families of those who lost a loved one.
“To the Second World War veterans who are still with us today, we
say thank you. We will not forget what you have done for our country.”
OUR COVER
Toll free numbers (for country members)
Enquiries and Welfare: 1800-451-615
Friendship Line: 1800-001-422
Office hours: Monday to Friday
9am to 5pm
Annual Subscription:
$30 due 1 April each year
Donations to War Widows’ Guild
of Australia NSW Limited
are tax deductible
****
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.”
(King George VI, Extract from
Christmas message 1941)
Front: 20th President of the Guild in NSW, Mrs
Margaret (Meg) Green, was appointed in June
2015 (Photo by Steve Christo)
Back: Woronora Military Memorial, Sutherland.
These bronze sculptures form part of the memorial
and remember the families who are left behind.
(Photo courtesy Southern Metropolitan
Cemeteries Trust)
CONTENTS
3
From the Chair
4
New Board
5
State President’s message
6-7
From the CEO
8-11
AGM and Life Members
12-14Commemoration
Insert Christmas collection
15
National President
16
From our history
17-19 Welfare news
20
Friendship Line, Transport
21Invitations
22-24 Guild and Social Clubs
25
Clubs listing
26
Members’ news
27
Gardening, Recipe
DISCLAIMER: The material in this Guild Digest has been checked thoroughly and to the best of our knowledge is
correct. However, errors may occur which are beyond our control. If this should happen, we apologise most sincerely.
2
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
FROM THE CHAIR
FOR YOUR DIARY
A time of change
Fun Food & Friendship Days
Warringah, 23 September
Coffs Harbour, 7 October
Queanbeyan, 7 October
I am delighted to have been elected as Chair
of the Board of Directors. I feel very honoured
to hold this position.
A number of other changes have occurred
on the Board of Directors. Our former Chair
and director, Dagmar Schmidmaier AM, has
reached the end of her term and we were
sorry to see her finish on the Board. Dagmar
was a fine leader and provided support and
leadership to all the Directors, particularly in looking forward to the
Guild’s future. She will be missed.
We are also sorry to see Shirley Drysdale reach the end of her sixyear term as a Director. She has also made input into the Board’s
deliberations, in particular representing our regional members. Shirley
will continue to play a part in the Guild, being the National Treasurer
and also as the Co-ordinator of the Wellington Social Club.
We welcome to the Board two new Directors and one prospective
Director. Jenny Wheatley has joined the Board as a non-member
Director. Jenny has a strong accounting background and is CEO of a
philanthropic foundation. She will bring a great deal of experience and
expertise to the Board’s deliberations. We have a second prospective
non member Director, Laura Raymer, also an accountant, who runs
her own business. Laura has agreed to be an observer on the Board
for the next year, and then appointed to my Director’s position when
I leave the Board. We are very fortunate to find two women with such
talent and experience who are willing to support the Guild.
We also warmly welcome to the Board, Kath Arthur, member from
Obley (near Dubbo). Kath will bring a regional perspective to our
discussions.
We farewell Wendy Thompson as our President and thank her for
the wonderful work she has done in representing the Guild and
war widows. Congratulations to Meg Green who has taken over as
President, as well as being National President. This will be a big job,
but we are sure she can carry out both positions effectively.
Our Annual General Meeting in June was well attended by our clubs
from across NSW and it was good to meet many of the regional
members. Further information from the AGM is contained in this
issue.
The Board continues to plan for the future of the Guild. Our 70th
Anniversary is approaching and we hope to celebrate the wonderful
work of the Guild over the past seven decades.
Helen Wiseman
CHAIR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
History Week: we can scan it!
Digitise your war memorabilia
Fri 11 September and
Perpetual Poppies
5 September to 16 October
City of Canterbury Library
14-28 Amy Street
Campsie NSW Ph: 9789 9562
Veteran Health Day
Fri 9 October, 9am to 1.30pm
Concord Hospital
RSVP by 2 Oct to Melva
9767 5256
Veterans’ Health Week
10-18 October
Theme: Mental wellness
See page 17
Guild National Council
Melbourne, 14-16 October
War Widows’ Walk and Picnic
Kokoda Track Memorial
Walkway Concord. Cost $10
Thursday, 29 October,
9.30am-1.30pm
RSVP to head office by 8 Oct
Melbourne Cup luncheon
Head office, 3 November, 11 am
Cost $25. RSVP 19 October
Regional Christmas parties
Mid North Coast,
Wagga Wagga, Southern,
Newcastle/Hunter
See page 22
Enquiries Barbara Pittaway
Christmas Party
Level 4 Sydney Hilton
George St, Sydney
Thursday, 10 December
10.30 for 12 noon
Cost $68
Please register for the above
events at head office on
9267 6577 or 1800 451 615
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Rear) Dot Haines, Laura Raymer, Kath Arthur, Sue Kelly, Jenny Wheatley (Front) Brenda
Morrison, Wendy Thompson, Helen Wiseman (Chair), Naida Isenberg (Deputy Chair), Meg Green
Board changes
The former Chair and Director, Dagmar Schmidmaier
AM, reached the end of her six-year term on the
Board in July as did Director, Shirley Drysdale at
the AGM. Outgoing President Wendy Thompson
thanked them for their service to the Guild at the
AGM and presented them with small gifts.
Wendy’s three-year term as President was
acknowledged with thanks and a presentation from
our Guild and Social Clubs, members and staff of
the Guild. Wendy has advised that she has booked
a holiday to Hawaii for November, travelling with
her sister to Hawaii, having a few days in Waikiki
and then doing a seven-day cruise of the islands. Wendy said “Thank you for this special gift - I know
I will enjoy.” Meg Green has been appointed as State President
and as her first task, presented Wendy with Life
Membership of the Guild in appreciation of her
contribution as President from 2012 to 2015. Wendy
continues in her role as a NSW Ambassador for the
Centenary of ANZAC.
The incoming Directors of the Board are Kath
Arthur and Jenny Wheatley, and a third, prospective
4
Director, Laura Raymer, who will attend Board
meetings as Observer for a year, when she will
be appointed to the next Non-Member Director’s
position falling vacant in August 2016.
The new Chair of the Board is Helen Wiseman, who
is warmly welcomed to the role.
Jenny Wheatley
A Chartered Accountant, Jenny has held partner
roles in respected medium size accounting firms
and since 2012 has been CEO of the Vincent
Fairfax Family Foundation, and CEO of Cambooya,
managing the Fairfax company investments. Aside from being a highly experienced Chartered
Accountant, Jenny has an exceptional insight into
philanthropy in Australia, the VFFF being seen as a
strong leader in philanthropy. The Foundation has
distributed more than $7 million in four themes –
agriculture, Christianity, community wellbeing and
education.
It has been an innovative funder of SHINE for Kids
and a very strong supporter of SHINE's work during
the last five years. SHINE for Kids works with and
for young Australians affected by family member
involvement in the criminal justice system.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello Members
This is my first President’s Report since taking on
the position of State President.
I am honoured to be able to undertake this role but
I fear that it is going to be a very busy year ahead,
especially given my National Guild responsibilities.
I would firstly like to thank Wendy Thompson,
Immediate Past President, for all her hard work
and dedication in her three years in this position.
Wendy has been a great advocate for the war
widows in New South Wales. Wendy will continue
in her role as Ambassador on the NSW Centenary
of Anzac Advisory Council and will also represent
the Guild on the Remembrance Driveway
Committee.
My thanks also go to Mrs Dagmar Schmidmaier
AM, for her stewardship of the Guild in her position
as Chair of the Board. Dagmar has now completed
her six years and is looking forward to following
other interests. Likewise, thanks also to Mrs
Shirley Drysdale, who has completed her six years
as Member Director on the Board. Shirley will
continue in her role as National Treasurer and as
Co-ordinator of the Wellington Social Club and this
will keep her very busy for the next little while.
I welcome Ms Helen Wiseman as the new Chair
of the Board and also Mrs Kath Arthur as a new
Member Director. Mrs Gina Parrelli and Mrs
Barbara Jeanes will continue as my President’s
Representatives. I am expecting that they will be
kept extremely busy as I juggle the commitments
of both the State and National President roles.
Since taking up the position, the Guild has
received invitations to attend NAIDOC Week at
Rockdale, Legacy’s 89th Luncheon at Parliament
House, 99th Anniversary of Battle of Fromelles
AVCAT scholarships presentation at Admiralty House
L to R Meg Green, HE General the Honourable Sir
Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)Governor-General of the
Commonwealth of Australia, Wendy Thompson
at the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park, Korean
Veterans Reception at Government House, Rose
Bay Guild Club Christmas in July, Vasey Housing
AGM and the Wellington Social Club Christmas in
July.
I was also guest speaker at the City Saturday Guild
Club in June. There are many more invitations
in the diary, from now until Christmas. August
is shaping up to be a busy month also with the
Victory in the Pacific commemorative functions
and Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorations. Both
Barbara and Gina have been wonderful in taking
on some of these duties on my behalf.
I continue to attend the Australian Veterans’
Children Assistance Trust Board and Finance
Committee meetings and the Veterans’ Children
Education Scheme Board meetings on behalf of
the Guild. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Deputy
Commissioner Forums are also held in August,
which are a means of keeping up with changes
which may be made by DVA and which may
impact on our members.
I thank the staff of the Guild office for their hard
work and dedication and for pointing me in the
right direction when required. Thanks also to the
CEO, Patricia Campbell and Executive Assistant,
Barbara McMullen, who have been invaluable
sources of guidance in the first few weeks of my
new role.
L to R Mrs Meg Green, Mrs Jennifer Collins, DVA
Deputy Commissioner, MAJGEN Mark Kelly AO DSC,
Repatriation Commissioner
Till next time,
Meg Green
STATE PRESIDENT
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
5
FROM THE CEO
70th Anniversary
The Guild will be celebrating its 70th anniversary
in November 1945. The establishment of the Guild,
which started in Victoria, is described on page 16.
The NSW Guild was formed in June 1946.
ACT Guild
Members might be interested to know that the ACT
Guild was part of the NSW Guild until 1955, and we
had a Guild Club in the ACT in those early days.
In September, the ACT Guild is celebrating its 50th
Anniversary. We extend our congratulations to the
ACT Guild on reaching this milestone.
Woronora Military Memorial
I was very pleased to attend the opening of the
Woronora Military Memorial on 6 August, together
with our president Meg Green.
A very moving service, it was conducted at 4.30pm
to commemorate the beginning of the Battle of
Lone Pine on the Gallipoli Peninsula 100 years ago.
As the sun gradually set, we remembered all those
who fought in the First World War and particularly
the families left behind. The service had a particular
resonance for me, having a great uncle who fought
and was wounded at Lone Pine, and having visited
Gallipoli for the Dawn and Lone Pine services
several years ago.
More details are on page 14 and the back cover.
Our Walk and Picnic – Be there!
I encourage members to attend out Walk and
Picnic this year. This will be our 22nd year, and we
are delighted that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs,
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, has accepted
our invitation to open the Walk, and to mark our
70th Anniversary. Let’s make it a good one, so he
can see how war widows enjoy themselves. Even
if you can’t walk, you can still enjoy a day out with
your friends and fellow war widows!
Advocacy
Home Care charges
- I advised in the last
Guild Digest that we had made a submission to
the Government about the proposed charges
for the Home Support Program, along with a
6
Helen Wiseman, Gina Parrelli, Meg Green,
Patricia Campbell, Wendy Thompson with Yvonne
Lawrenson (seated) at Premier’s Reception for
Korean War veterans and war widows
number of other organisations. As a result of all
the submissions, the government has deferred the
implementation of the new fee structure until 2018.
For more information see our Community Care
Update on page 20.
Pension payments on bereavement
A family member contacted us about the
requirement to repay his mother’s last war widow’s
pension payment to the Department of Veterans’
Affairs. The payment was made two days after his
mother died. The payment was made in respect
of the previous 14 days. It appears that the war
widows’ pension is treated differently from other
payments on bereavement, as other income support
payments (such as the ISS) continue for a short time
after death. The whole of the war widows’ pension
payment, even though the widow had been alive
for 12 of the 14 days was to be repaid. The Guild
has advocated to the Department that this payment
be brought into line with other DVA payments, so
families do not have to deal with repayments after
the death of loved ones.
Remembrance Driveway
The Remembrance Driveway was established in
1954 as a living memorial of trees to those who
served during World War II. The Driveway follows
the main Highway between Sydney and Canberra.
The Guild has been represented on the
Remembrance Driveway Committee for many years,
with Wendy Thompson being our representative for
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
FROM THE CEO
the past three years. In 1995, the Guild dedicated
a grove of 20 trees at Warwick Farm, as part of the
Remembrance Driveway. Unfortunately the trees
were vandalised and eventually it was decided to
plant new trees at Walshaw Park, Bass Hill. A tree
planting took place in 2007.
Our tree at this location has not thrived and
recently Wendy Thompson, Pat Holdorf (President
of Bankstown Guild Club) and I met with a
representative of Bankstown Council to discuss
what could be done. We are hopeful of reaching an
agreement which will do justice to the War Widows’
Guild and to the Remembrance Driveway.
Patricia Campbell
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Guild Scholarship winner
Boer War Memorial help needed
23,000 people from Australia leaving behind all walks
of life, including, no doubt, some predecessors of
today’s War Widows, went to war in South Africa
between 1899 and 1902. Around 1,000 died there
and many were wounded. We sent 143,000 horses,
none of which returned. Our first six Victoria
Crosses were awarded there, along with 161 other
bravery awards.
This commitment by Australians deserves to be
commemorated on Anzac Parade Canberra, the
avenue on which all other wars are commemorated
but NOT this, our first war. To obtain this recognition,
the National Boer War Memorial Association
(NBWMA) has been established.
To complete the memorial a further $2.7m is
needed. Tax deductible donations of any size above
$2 should be sent NBWMA, Building 96, Victoria
Barracks Paddington NSW 2021.
READER’S DIGEST
We sincerely thank Reader’s Digest for their ongoing
support of the Guild’s Christmas Party Raffle for
over ten years by donating books and CDs as
prizes.
We regret that the Reader’s Digest was inadvertently
omitted from the list of raffle sponsors which was
published in our Guild Digest, March edition.
Megan Hughes and
Wendy Thompson
Membership - final reminder
The Guild’s second scholarship was awarded
to Megan Hughes. Megan is the daughter of a
war widow and is undertaking a Diploma course
in Library, Information and Cultural Services at
ultimo TAFE. Meg Green, Wendy Thompson and
Patricia Campbell attended the awards ceremony
at Admiralty House in May when she was presented
her award by the Governor-General. The two Guild
scholarships are administered by AVCAT (Australian
Veterans Children’s Assistance Trust) on the Guild’s
behalf.
Thank you to the many members who have renewed
their subscription to the Guild already. This provides
us with funds to do the work that supports war
widows and our Guild and Social Clubs. Your mailing
sheet indicates if your subscription is overdue.
Please return your mailing sheet with your payment
of $30 (and donation if desired). Alternatively, renew
quickly and easily over the phone. This will be the
last Guild Digest for those who have not renewed
their membership. Call 9267 6577 or for members
outside Sydney toll free 1800 451 615.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
7
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015
Members from all over NSW attended our Annual
General Meeting held at the Wesley Centre on 24
June 2015.
Chair, Dagmar Schmidmaier AM and Directors
provided
information
about
the
Guild’s
achievements in the previous year and planning
for the future years of the Guild. On the following
pages are reports and information presented at the
meeting about the Guild’s finances, membership
and the Chair’s address. Guild National President,
Meg Green, spoke about her work at the National
level.
Representatives from most regional clubs were
supported to attend the AGM, and they participated
in a group session and dinner on the evening before
the AGM (see photo). Our Club representatives
enjoy the stimulation of meeting each other and
the Guild staff and to find out first hand what is
happening in the Guild.
The Guild recognised nine new life members this
year, including Wendy Thompson, in recognition of
her work as President of the Guild. Meg Green was
appointed as the incoming State President. Gina
Parrelli and Barbara Jeanes will continue as her
President’s Representatives for the coming year.
Guild membership profile
June 2015
(Figures for last year are shown in brackets)
8
Guild members
6,268 (7,169)
Average age
87 (86) years
Life Members inducted
(including past State Presidents - 9)
168 (160)
Life Members (still living)
60 (64)
Members over 100
(oldest member - 104)
41 (27)
Members under 49
(youngest member - 29)
9 (7)
Members over 90
2,457 (2,400)
WWI widows
7 (12)
WWII widows
5,559 (6,387)
Korean widows
302 (315)
Vietnam widows
322 (311)
Allied widows, Defence widows,
and later conflicts
489 (522)
Members living outside Sydney
52% (50%)
Raffle winner
The fourth painting, “Sturt’s desert pea”, donated
by indigenous member Mrs Veronica Chapman
and her daughter Mrs Gloria Gardiner, was won by
Mrs Patricia Ford of Goulburn, who was present
at the Annual General Meeting when the winning
ticket was drawn. Patricia gave the painting to her
granddaughter and husband for their new home in
Potts Point. They are thrilled, particularly as they
are new homeowners with a high mortgage – this
is their first piece of artwork.
The raffle raised more than $1,800 for the Guild
and we thank Gloria Gardiner for her donation.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015
Helen Wiseman, Chair of the Finance
Audit and Compliance Committee,
presented the highlights of the
Guild’s Annual Report for the year
ended 31 March 2015 at the AGM.
Guild finances
Our auditors HLB Mann Judd have again provided
an unqualified audit opinion. The financial position
of the NSW Guild today remains sound, although
a significant proportion of our assets are tied up in
Guild housing. This makes the Guild asset rich but
income poor.
Operating Result
The Guild reported a loss from continuing operations
of $1,116,559 for the year ended 31 March 2015.
This loss was consistent with budgeted operating
losses approved by the Guild’s board of directors.
The Board’s strategy is to use accumulated funds
to provide services to current members, as we
want to ensure that our current members enjoy
the benefits that can be provided from the Guild’s
available assets.
Guild Assets
Total equity and net assets of $16,193,251 were
invested in two asset groups: housing, and cash/
other interest investments. The increase in assets
was due to an increase in the value of Guild
properties of $3,422,000. This increase was offset
by a reduction in the Guild’s cash portfolio, which
was used to finance the Guild’s operations during
the year. The graph shows the main components
of the Guild’s assets at year-end. As you can see,
nearly 85% of the Guild’s assets are tied up in
Guild housing and your Board will need to release
some of the equity in these properties in order to
service the needs of the majority of members. The
Guild has entered into an agreement with Helm Pty
WHAT the
THE GUILD'S
ASSETS MADE UP
Ltd to assist with
redevelopment
of OF?
the Guild
properties.
16000000
14000000
12000000
10000000
8000000
6000000
4000000
2000000
0
Housing
Cash & Cash
Investments
2013
Where did the Guild’s income
come from?
This diagram compares the 2015 income
components with those of 2014 and 2013. There
was a reduction in investment income received
during the year. The Guild’s cash strategy has meant
that a lower return was achieved on our investment
portfolio; however, the Guild has more certainty in
widows Guild of Australian NSW Ltd
relation toWar
investment
returns.
Income Comparison 2013, 2014, 2015
$400
$350
Thousands
$300
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
Housing
Income
Investment
Income
Members
Investment
Subscriptions
Gains
2013
2014
Bequests/
Donations
/Grants
other
2015
membership income as a result of the decline in
Guild membership. There was an increase in the
income received from donations and bequests
and grants. The Guild is very appreciative of all
donations and bequests received.
Where did the Guild spend its money?
This chart compares the 2015 expenditure
components with those of 2014 and 2013. During
the year the Guild achieved an overall reduction
in total Guild expenses of $141,500. The main
reason for this decrease was the write back of the
provision for the make good of our office premises
of $110,000 as it was not required under the new
Expenditure Comparison 2013 ,2014,2015
office lease.
$700
Other Income
$600
$500
2015
There was an increase in housing income in 2015
Income Comparison 2013, 2014, 2015
as a result of an agreement entered into with
Evolve Housing to rent out the Guild’s vacant
units while planning for the sale of Guild housing
is undertaken. There was a general reduction in
Thousands
$0
2014
$400
$300
$200
$100
$0
Housing
Costs
Guild Events
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
Member
Services
2013
Membership
Costs
2014
Club Support Digest Costs
Other
2015
9
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Life Members 2015
Phyllis Lennox
Life Membership is awarded to members who have
50 years’ membership of the Guild. The following
four members became Life Members in 2015, as did
Ivy Ashkar, Jessie Ayling, Patricia Dennis and Cecily
Tilbrook. Retiring President Wendy Thompson also
received Life Membership in appreciation of her
term as President.
I was born in Manly and I have one
sister. Both my mother, Mabel,
and my father, Percy, came from
country NSW, Murrurundi and
Crookwell respectively.
Mrs Beryl Cooke
I was born in Eastwood and I have two brothers.
Our family used to spend a lot of time at Pearl
Beach and that is where I met my husband, Sydney.
He had served in the Middle East and wasn’t very
well when he returned home. After the war, Sydney
was a butcher, but he developed a love of orchids
and developed a business exporting orchids and
selling the supplies for growing orchids.
After we were married and also after I was widowed
I moved around a lot - Eastwood, South Strathfield,
Blakehurst, Booker Bay were some of the places I
lived. Then I moved back to Sydney and I am now
living in Wyoming. Sydney and I had two children
and we have one grandchild.
I joined the Guild shortly after he died in 1965 and I
thank the Guild for all the work they have done for
us.
My father had small businesses and each time he
sold them I went to a different school - Lakemba,
Chatswood, Pendle Hill, Strathfield and Leichhardt.
I attended Canterbury High School and then Miss
Hales’ Secretarial College.
My favourite memories growing up are of a dog
called Soldier, riding the little calf “Jackie” on the
poultry farm at Girraween, and of course pinching
lollies from my father’s shop. During my teenage
years I enjoyed going skating at the Ice Palais and
the Glaciarium, going to the beach and occasionally
attending dances.
My favourite job was with a Consulting Engineer.
I met my husband Patrick when he was stationed at
the South Head Radar Station and we were married
in 1943. He passed away in 1944. We had one
daughter, Wendy, two grandchildren and two great
grandchildren.
In 1965 I joined the War Widows’ Guild. I enjoy the
friendship and meeting people in the Guild.
Joan Darley
Mavis Mills
I was born in Parramatta and had a brother and a
sister. I attended Tara School, and then Methodist
Ladies College in Burwood. I did my apprenticeship
as a hair dresser, eventually owning my own
business in Abbotsford for many years.
I was born in Leura and
I had one older brother.
Both my parents were
from
Queensland.
My
father returned from WWI
suffering from the effects
of mustard gas and wounds he received on the
battlefields of France. He died in 1941 and my
mother was a war widow.
While an apprentice, I met my husband, Fred, as
the salon I worked for was owned by his aunt. Fred
came from Ashfield.
We were married at St Anne’s Strathfield and we
went to Palm Beach for our honeymoon. We lived in
Ashfield then Manly. We had two boys and two girls
and six grandchildren. I currently have three great
grandchildren, with another one on the way.
I attended the Warringah War Widows’ Guild Club
for many years and I am very happy with the Guild,
which does an excellent job for all war widows.
10
I attended high school in Sydney, travelling down
every morning and returning home to Leura at
night. When I left school my favourite job was with
Wright Heaton and Company, in Pitt Street. During
the war I volunteered at the canteen in St Andrew’s
and knitted socks and packed hampers for the
servicemen overseas.
I met my husband Bill after he returned from the
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Middle East in 1943, where he served in Tobruk and
Mersa Matruh. Bill came from Gunnedah and after
the war he worked on the NSW Railways and then
to Willoughby Council. We were married in 1943
and at that time ration books had to be renewed if
you married, so we went from the church to collect
my ration book in my new name!
Bill passed away in August 1965 and I joined the
Guild shortly after.
I knew the Guild when it was in ANZAC House,
College Street, and I served on State Council for a
number of years. Elsie Ward and I were in charge of
the Friendship Room and worked there two or three
days a week. I also worked on the stalls at the fete
each year. I also helped to start the Chatswood and
District War Widows’ Guild Club.
I know the work of the Guild in the early days – most
of the benefits we receive today as war widows are
due to the work of the widows in the early days of
the Guild. My mother was an early war widow and
she did not receive the benefits from DVA that we
receive today. It is only “old” members of the Guild
who can understand just how great has been the
value of the Guild to us during all those years.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - CHAIR’S ADDRESS
Dagmar Schmidmaier AM, the Chair of
the Board of Directors, spoke about the
work of the Guild at the AGM in June
2015. An edited version of her talk
follows.
A significant focus for the Board and management
of the Guild over the past several years has been on
the future of our Guild housing, given the reduction
in the numbers of members living in Guild housing.
As previously announced, the Guild is applying for
consent to redevelop our three housing properties.
This will increase their value to the Guild when
they are sold in the future. We expect to sell the
properties over the next several years. We are well
progressed on the first property, at Collingwood
Street, Drummoyne, and we expect to commence
plans for our second property in the near future. We
are keeping our residents informed of progress.
Our three housing properties continue to be sound
assets, with an increase in the valuation of the
properties of $3.35 million now reflected in our
accounts. Over the past few years the properties
had not been giving us a significant cash flow to
assist in running the operations of the Guild. The
situation has improved as our relationship with
Evolve Housing has seen an increase in occupied
units and is bringing in welcome income.
Evolve Housing has also commenced talking
to our residents to assist them to find long term
independent living housing in the community at
affordable rates. We expect this will be of great
assistance to our residents.
Most of our non property assets are in term deposits.
This means a lower return on our investments,
especially as interest rates have continued to fall.
Our membership numbers continue to reduce and
this decline will continue over the coming years.
The Board is continuing to look at the way these
changes will impact on how the Guild will need to
change its operations in the future.
We have commenced to develop a strategic focus
on the future of the Guild. We are calling this the
Future Project. Our aim is to develop a pool of
funds which will support the Guild’s operations into
the future. We are also looking at what activities the
Guild should undertake as our membership grows
smaller.
We thank our members for their wonderful
contribution to the Guild both financially and through
their volunteer activities. Last year, donations
from members in addition to their subscriptions
totalled around $52,750. (This amounts to about $8
per member, an increase from last year of $1 per
member.) Members also volunteer countless hours
of their time to our Clubs and Friendship Line and
Room. Member involvement makes the Guild the
unique organisation that it is.
I am reaching the end of my term as Director. I
have greatly enjoyed my time as a Director and as
Chair of this fine organisation, and am sorry to be
finishing. However, I feel confident that the current
Board will continue the important work of planning
for the future, while maintaining our support and
services for war widows. I am pleased to announce
the incoming Chair will be Helen Wiseman.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
11
COMMEMORATION
Special event invitation
The Sydney Jewish Museum invites you to
participate in a special event celebrating the power
of the written word during times of conflict. It
encourages anyone with correspondence written
or received during war time (WWI, WWII, Vietnam,
Korea, Afghanistan or Iraq) to submit and read
an extract from one of your letters at its ‘Reading
between the Lines’ event on Sunday, 1 November
2015.
To participate or to get further information, contact
Aviva Wolff. E-mail: rsvp@sjm.com.au or telephone
8036-0107.
‘Reading between the Lines’ headlines the
Museum’s current exhibition ‘Signs of Life – Letters
and Postcards from the Holocaust’.
Hitler came to power on 30 January 1933 and
the daily life of every Jew in Germany soon
changed. Some 40,000 fled that year. Thus, family
relationships by mail began.
Photo Yad Vashem
As Nazi Germany grabbed
territory – Austria in March
1938 and the Czech
lands in 1939 — the
exodus grew. Planned
emigration
overtook
panicked
departure,
and Jewish communal
organisations
poured
their energy into the
departure of children and
Image courtesy United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum
young adults. In Germany, 83 percent of Jews
under age twenty-four escaped by 1939; similarly
for Austria and Czech lands.
Torn apart, families turned to letter writing. Parents and children yearned to hear from each
other. Parents continued to advise from afar;
children reported on their new lives.
For Jews across Europe, war (September 1939)
and German occupation brought forced relocation;
incarceration in ghettos, transit and concentration
camps; and flight from invaded territory in search of
safety. Mail connections grew tenuous or stopped
just when families were most desperate for word. Letters took months to arrive, if they did at all. Writers turned to the Red Cross letter system,
hoping for a sign of life. Reunification was a rare
joy.
The Sydney Jewish Museum holds some 1000
Nazi and postwar era letters and postcards in
its collection. “Signs of Life” brings this private
correspondence to the public.
Premier’s Reception
The Premier honoured Korean
War veterans and war widows in a
Reception at Government House,
Sydney in July 2015. A number of
our Korean War widows attended,
including Life Members Olwyn Green
OAM, whose husband died in Korea,
and Yvonne Lawrenson, whose
husband served in the RAAF and
remains missing in action. Pictured
are some of our Korean War members
and representatives of the Guild with
the Governor of NSW.
12
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
COMMEMORATION
100 Years Ago: Devotion
This exhibition in April, 100 Years Ago: Devotion
showcased Rachel Fairfax’s response to the ANZAC
centenary of the landing at Gallipoli. Through a
selection of paintings and ceramics she has delved
into these histories, with particular focus on the
women who served in the Australian Army Nursing
Services and the role of animals in World War I.
A painting expedition to Gallipoli in 2013 marked a
significant course of artistic development for Rachel.
She describes travelling through and painting
the Gallipoli Peninsula as powerful, haunting and
reverential. “After travelling and painting there,
I became deeply interested in the stories of the
Australian nurses who served on Lemnos Island
during WWI.
“These works represent my respect for some of the
unsung heroes who served during WWI through my
medium of painting, drawing and making ceramics.”
Rachel’s enquiry into World War history developed
through researching the impact of the World Wars
on her own family histories, and how their lives
were profoundly affected by their war service. Her
grandmother is Guild member Mrs Glad Baker, who
was the first to tell Rachel her stories of the wars.
Almost every community along the route is preparing
some form of welcome or entertainment.
Shire, on to Cootamundra, Wallendbeen, where HE
the Governor General will participate, to Harden
Murrumburrah, where the Light Horse was founded.
Smaller towns of Galong, Binalong and Bowning are
preparing, too, into the Yass Valley; Upper Lachlan
and Breadalbane; then to Australia’s first inland city,
Goulburn, which will host HE the Governor of NSW at
a bush dance and Sunday morning church service.
Onwards to town after town through the Southern
Highlands from Wingello in the south to Hill Top in
the North - welcomes, commemorations, dinners,
musical events, and plays are well advanced in their
rehearsals and planning. Thirlmere Trainworks has
a massive project underway; onwards to Camden,
then a ball at the Menangle Park Raceway, and so
to a valedictory hosted by the Campbelltown City
Council.
From Wagga Wagga send-off, through to the Junee
www.kangaroomarch.org.au
Kangaroo March Re-enactment
The Re-enactment March will take place from Wagga
Wagga on Saturday 5 September 2015 in a general
north-easterly direction through the countryside,
towns,
villages
and cities of a
portion of NSW.
It will conclude
in Campbelltown
on Saturday 10 October 2015- a distance of
approximately 520kms. By taking less travelled
roads, the marchers are traversing often picturesque
countryside, doubtless similar to that which the
Kangaroos took a century ago.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
13
COMMEMORATION
Woronora Military Memorial
Australia’s newest military memorial was
officially opened by His Excellency General
The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d)
Governor of New South Wales in August.
President Meg Green and CEO Patricia
Campbell represented the Guild at the opening.
On the 100th anniversary of the commencement of
the Battle of Lone Pine, a moving ceremony was held
to honour those who died in war, and in particular to
remember the families who are bereaved as a result
of their deaths. Representatives of Australia, New
Zealand, Turkey and Greece were present, as well
as family members and representatives of the exservice community and the ADF. The role of Legacy
and the War Widows’ Guild of Australia in supporting
the families left behind was acknowledged.
Wall of Remembrance and a seating area for
contemplation complete the beautiful design.
As part of the Memorial at Woronora, the words of “In
Flanders’ Fields”, one of the most memorable war
poems from WWI, are painted in a prominent location.
For the Opening Memorial Service, 2,277 crosses
with personal messages were created by primary
school students for those Australian soldiers killed
or wounded at Lone Pine and displayed just below
the mural. Following the Service the crosses will be
sent to the Australian War Memorial for distribution
to the military cemeteries around the world.
The Memorial was organised by the Southern
Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and has many
components. It recognises the value of families
supporting those who fought
so bravely, and features an
emotive bronze statue of a
little boy handing a note to
his WWI father, which reads
“Miss you dad”, and a little
girl holding up a poppy.
The Memorial has incorporated
the Wollemi Pine and a number
of Lone Pines into the design.
The Wollemi Pine is a unique
and ancient plant, found in the
Australian Blue Mountains and
described as a “living fossil”
from the dinosaur age. The
Lone Pines are trees that have direct heritage to the
Battle of Lone Pine. The original “Lone Pine” was
the last tree standing from a group that had been
cut down by Turkish soldiers. The seedlings have
become a symbol of the Anzac spirit. The Wollemi
Pine and the Lone Pines are a special feature,
symbolising peace, remembrance and friendship.
Three Victoria Cross recipients at rest or
memorialised at Woronora Memorial Park are
also honoured in the Military Memorial, with
granite plaques etched with their images. A
14
Photos 2 and 3 courtesy Southern Metropolitan
Cemeteries Trust (NSW)
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
and I will be representing members at both these.
Greetings
Members and
Friends
I also attended a function at Government House
in Sydney with Wendy Thompson to celebrate the
Queen’s 89th Birthday, a lovely occasion. Wendy
and I again attended Government House, Sydney,
with a number of our Korean War widows, for
the Premier’s Reception to honour Korean War
veterans.
I cannot believe that 2015
is more than halfway
through. It has certainly
been an extremely busy
year for me, as I am sure
it has been for many
others.
In May I attended the ACT War Widows’ Guild AGM.
I received a very warm welcome from the ladies
there and thanks must go to Mrs Elaine Pennock
for her hard work and dedication to the Guild.
I attended the Veterans Reference Group “MATES”
meeting in Adelaide in May. Sadly, this was their last
meeting until the results of the tender are known.
Ex-Service Round Table Budget briefings were
held in May at DVA offices in Sydney and around
Australia via video-conferencing. This produced
many questions and further discussions for both
the National Guild and the State Guilds, especially
regarding the changes to the ISS Asset Test
proposed to take place in 2017.
The Office of War Graves invited me to attend the
Prime Ministerial announcement in Canberra on 25
May regarding the repatriation of personnel interred
in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia. The
majority of those interred and eligible for repatriation
were servicemen killed during the Vietnam Conflict.
This was an extremely moving occasion and I felt
very privileged to meet three widows from this
conflict.
I June I attended Guild AGMs in SA, WA, NSW and
Tasmania. Shirley Drysdale, National Treasurer,
accompanied me to Adelaide. I will be attending
the Qld Guild’s AGM in August.
The National Guild has been invited to attend the
Victory in the Pacific commemoration in Brisbane in
August, the Battle for Australia commemoration at
the Australian War Memorial in September, and the
RSL National Conference and dinner in Brisbane in
September.
The National Guild, with the assistance of the New
South Wales Guild, continues to work on the format
and make-up for the new re-vamped National Guild
website. This is progressing, albeit slowly.
In partnership with the Partners of Veterans
Association the National Guild has submitted
an agenda item for the next ESORT meeting in
Canberra regarding simplifying the process for
small organisations to apply for a Grant-in-aid. We
are hopeful that this will be well received. I will keep
you informed of the outcome.
The National Guild has recently made a Senate
submission to the Inquiry into the ‘Mental Health
of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Personnel who
have returned from Combat, Peacekeeping or other
Deployment’. This was submitted in support of the
Terms of Reference, Item (F) – ‘the support available
for partners, carers and families of returned service
personnel who experience mental ill-health.’ The
Senate committee will sit on 31 August 2015 and
the reporting date for this committee is 19 February
2016. There were 59 submissions from a variety of
organisations, so it will be interesting to hear the
results of this inquiry.
I missed the first meeting of the Defence Personnel
and Families Committee meeting in Canberra due
to high winds in Sydney and flight cancellations.
However, I will be attending the next meeting in the
coming weeks.
The Guild’s National Council will be meeting
in October in Melbourne to celebrate the 70th
Anniversary of the establishment of the Guild.
The Ex-service Organisations’ Round Table and the
Defence Briefing Day are also scheduled for August
Meg Green
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Till next time, keep safe and well.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
15
HISTORY OF THE GUILD
The Beginnings, 70 years ago
“In 1945, with nothing but the motto ‘self-help’,
Jessie Vasey began the battle for war widows…”
(The Australian Women’s Weekly – 8 September,
1965). Even after 20 years, Mrs Vasey stated “We
believe in self-help.” This same publication reports
Mrs Vasey’s achievements “to have enabled
thousands of women to band together for their
mutual aid and comfort, and to win what they value
most, a measure of independence and personal
dignity”.
The fight to gain and retain benefits that
compensated for the loss of their husbands was
strongly fought. Today advocacy and maintaining
war widows’ entitlements continue to be driving
principles of the Guild.
Members wishing to read more about the formation
and operations of the Guilds can purchase the
books, No Mean Destiny and No Peacetime
Cinderellas (about the NSW Guild) from Guild
head office. The Western Australian Guild is also
publishing its history book, Many Hearts, One Voice.
A large amount of preparation and costs were
required in the lead-up to placing advertisements
in Victorian newspapers announcing that a meeting
for war widows was to be held on 22 November
1945 – and the War Widows’ Craft Guild was
formed in Victoria. In November this year, the Guild
celebrates 70 years of serving and supporting war
widows. Mrs Jessie Vasey, widow of Major-General
George Vasey, was the main driver and figure-head
of the organisation until her death in 1966.
This first meeting was followed by the establishment
of associations in each state. Other states quickly
and vigorously followed Victoria in forming their own
state organisations. New South Wales Guild was
formed in Sydney on 4 June 1946 with about 100
war widows signing up as members. In 1947, the
state organisations met together with the purpose
of watching over and protecting the interests of war
widows.
Mrs Vasey
Mrs Vasey’s connections in high places helped to
influence government to respect the plight of war
widows. Mrs Vasey did not hold back with barbed
statements... “Patience, bullying… and even a
direct volley at a male politician were needed before
a reluctant approval was given.” (No Mean Destiny,
page 33)
As a self-help organisation, war widows were
trained in a variety of crafts; one of the original
looms used for weaving is located in the Sydney
Guild head office. The purpose of developing craft
skills was to help war widows to earn an income to
supplement their meagre pensions. Their craft work
was sold in shops around the country. In Sydney
the War Widows’ Guild shop was located in Rowe
Street. The shop closed in 1960.
16
NSW newspaper article c 1947
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
WELFARE NEWS
Veterans’ Health Week
Veterans’ Health Week runs
from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18
October 2015. The theme for
this year is Mental Wellness.
The Guild will be hosting four
events throughout this period
for war widows, focusing on wellbeing, fun, positive
living and positive ageing. This is an opportunity to
participate and connect with fellow war widows
and gain tips to enhance wellbeing, self esteem and
confidence.
Positive Living at Bankstown War Widows’ Guild
Club, Bankstown RSL, Monday 12 Oct 10am –
2pm, RSVP by 6 Oct to head office on 9267 6577.
A small charge may apply.
Fun, Food and Wellbeing at Campsie War Widows’
Guild Club, Campsie RSL, Monday 12 Oct 10am –
2pm.
Lift Your Spirit and Join In at Guild head office,
Sydney, Thursday 15 Oct 10.00am for 10.30am
start to 2.30pm, RSVP by 8 Oct to head office on
9267 6577 or 1800 451 615.
Positive Ageing combined City Saturday and
Younger Members War Widows’ Guild and Social
Clubs at Sydney RSL, Saturday 17 Oct, 10.45am
for 11am start to 1pm. RSVP by 2 Oct to head office
on 9267 6577 or 1800 451 615.
Royal District Nursing Service
The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) is
a leading national provider of community nursing and
home care, focused on assisting older Australians
to maintain health and independence within their
homes for as long as they can. RDNS provides
care on behalf of the Department of Veterans’
Affairs through the DVA and Veteran’s Home Care
(VHC) Programs, health and wellbeing programs
to residents in independent living facilities and a
comprehensive range of health care and domestic
support services.
RDNS will be delivering two of the Guild seminars
on positive ageing during Veterans Health Week.
Please note there will be two guest presenters at the
head office event on 15 October, one from RDNS
and the second, Marilyn Martin, who has hosted a
previous year’s VHW event.
Information about further activities hosted by other
ex-service organisations is available from VAN
offices and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
website. Contact Judith or Adrienne at Guild head
office for details regarding NSW Guild events.
DVA’s Coordinated
Veterans’
Care
(CVC)
Program
provides planned and
coordinated health care
to Gold Card holders with one or more targeted
chronic condition and who are most at risk of
unplanned hospitalisation. The targeted chronic
conditions include congestive heart failure, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery
disease, pneumonia and diabetes. The focus of CVC
is on prevention and improved self management of
chronic conditions. Benefits of participating in the
program include working with your care team (GP
and nurse coordinator) to better manage your health
and quality of life, and reduce the risk of unplanned
hospitalisations.
CVC is voluntary and is in addition to any existing
DVA services. Your GP will assess your eligibility
and whether CVC is suitable for you.
If enrolled in the Program, your ongoing and
planned care will be based on a personalised Care
Plan developed by your GP, nurse coordinator and
you. The GP and nurse coordinator will work closely
with you to help understand your health needs. The
nurse coordinator will contact you regularly both
by phone and home visits to monitor your health
and progress; they will give feedback to your GP
and assist in coordinating appointments with other
health professionals or services you need.
Talk to your GP if you are interested in the CVC
Program.
For more information:
Call 133 254
Email cvcprogram@dva.gov.au
Visit www.dva.gov.au/cvc.htm
Article courtesy of Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
17
WELFARE NEWS
Budget update
In the June 2014 and June 2015 Guild Digests we
listed a number of Budget changes that may affect
war widows. Several of these announcements have
been implemented, amended, withdrawn or are still
under discussion.
May 2014 Commonwealth Budget
*Seniors Supplement ceased, last payment was
made in June 2015.
*Prescription co-contribution rose by $0.80 from
January 1, 2015 to $6.10 but there has been no
change to the number of scripts required before
reaching the safety net. The limit has remained at
60 scripts.
*Family Tax Benefit, partially implemented from
1 July 2015.
*Changes to deeming thresholds, withdrawn.
*Fuel Excise changes, implemented.
May 2015 Commonwealth Budget
The legislation for the changes to the assets test
from January 2017 has been passed.
DVA has estimated that of approximately 60,000
war widows, about 1% currently receiving partial
Income Support Supplement (ISS) will be affected.
Single income limits are $597,750 (homeowner) and
$746,750 (non-homeowner). These changes do not
affect the War Widows’ Pension or the Gold Card.
Prescription changes
Subsidised prescriptions listed on the DVA’s
Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
(RPBS) are regularly reviewed. New medications
and dosages are added and some items removed,
based on the latest medical advice. Sometimes
your doctor has prescribed a certain medication but
before you can get the script filled at the chemist it
has been removed from the list.
A recent example is Vagifem pessaries 25 mcg. It
has been replaced on the list with Vagifem Low 10 mcg pessaries. DVA is aware of war widows
who have been charged a higher price for the 25
mcg pessaries because of the change in the list
18
contents. If you have been affected write to DVA
explaining why this situation occurred and you may
be refunded the difference in cost. If your doctor
believes that the higher dose is more suitable for
you then the doctor must obtain prior authorisation
from DVA for any future prescriptions, otherwise
the full price will be charged.
The same rules apply regarding your doctor
obtaining prior authorisation to prescribe
medications/dosages which are not currently listed
on the RPBS list.
Loose-fill asbestos insulation
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, loose-fill asbestos
was sold as ceiling insulation for residential housing
and commercial premises. A Canberra based
company known as ‘Mr Fluffy’ installed insulation in
around 1,000 houses in the ACT as well as in some
homes in NSW. These houses included Defence
Housing. Mr Fluffy ceased trading in 1979.
The ACT and NSW Governments have undertaken
thorough testings of all properties that they are
aware of that may have been affected. Currently
only a small percentage of homes tested have
proven positive for asbestos.
The Defence Department and NSW and ACT
Governments have developed strict protocols for
the testing and remediation of properties which
may have been affected.
Free testing of your property is available in 26 NSW
local government areas. To arrange for a test in
NSW contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To arrange a test in the ACT contact Access
Canberra on 13 22 81.
Current and former defence personnel who have
concerns regarding where they worked or resided
in Canberra in the 1970s and 1980s should contact
Defence Asbestos Exposure Evaluation Scheme on
1800 333 362.
Motor vehicle registration
Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) (formerly RTA)
has modified its renewal processes for people
eligible for free car registration. Free registration is
available to all war widows with a gold card. You still
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
WELFARE NEWS
need to provide the initial proof of eligibility. RMS
is automatically notified once you have purchased
your CTP insurance (green slip) and passed the
safety inspection report (pink slip), if required; your
car registration will then be automatically renewed.
RMS is including a brochure with all car renewal
notices to eligible persons. You no longer have to
visit a registry or Service NSW Centre to renew
your car registration. You can also check or confirm
your registration has been renewed by calling 13
22 13 or visiting the Roads and Maritime website,
www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Community Care Update
In the June Guild Digest we reported that there
would be a change in fees for the Commonwealth
Home Support Program from 1 July 2015. As a
result of all the submissions, including from the
Guild, the Australian Government has deferred
the implementation of the new fee structure for
Commonwealth Home Support Program until 2018.
The Government has also acknowledged that a
small number of Home Care Package recipients
are receiving a reduced number of hours of service
under Consumer Directed Care than they had been
receiving prior to 1 July 2015.
If this has affected you, discuss your concerns
initially with your service provider. TARS may
assist you with this discussion by providing you
with an advocate. Contact TARS on 9281 3600 or
1800 424 079 (NSW). For other states telephone
1800 700 600.
If you still have concerns, a Consumer Directed
Care Transition Hotline has been established. The
number for the hotline is 1800 138 225.
The Guild Community Services Workers may also
be able to assist you with any queries or issues.
Public Transport Pensioner
Excursion Tickets
The NSW Government has announced that the
paper $2.50 PET ticket will cease from 1 January
2016.
The $2.50 fare will only be available if you use a
GOLD (seniors/pensioner) OPAL card. Otherwise
you will be charged the concession price for each
trip, bus or train, you take.
For example, a train trip from Parramatta to Central
will cost pensioners $2.70 each way by buying paper
tickets or $2.50 using the OPAL card.
GOLD OPAL cards cannot be purchased at the
train station or on the bus. They must be ordered in
advance, as your war widows’ travel concession has
to be validated.
There is no charge for the card. However, to add credit
to it, you must link it to a bank account or credit card.
Paying by cash is available only at certain outlets.
To order a GOLD OPAL phone 13 67 25 or online at
www.opal.com.au
ClubGRANTS Donations
The Guild thanks the following organisations for
their generous donations towards activities such as
transport, room hire and healthy lifestyle seminars for
Guild and Social Clubs:
Panthers Port Macquarie
$4,000 for Port
Macquarie Guild Club
Lismore Workers Club
$2,000 for Lismore Guild
Club
Yass Soldiers Club $500
for Yass Social Club
Wagga Wagga RSL
$2,000 for Wagga
Wagga Social Club
St George Masonic Club
$1,250 for Penshurst
Guild Club
Bankstown RSL Club
$4,350 for Bankstown
Guild Club
Asquith League Club
$1,000 and Hornsby
RSL $3,000 for Hornsby
Social Club
The Epping Club for
an in kind donation of
$4,240
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
Club Liverpool $3,000
for Liverpool Social Club
Cronulla RSL $2,000 for
Cronulla Guild Club
Diggers @ The Entrance
$650 for The Entrance
Long Jetty Social Club
Dee Why RSL $4,500 for
Warringah Social Club
Katoomba RSL $900 for
Blue Mountains Social
Club
Club Toukley RSL $300
for Toukley Social Club
Queanbeyan Kangaroo
Leagues Club $2,500 for
Queanbeyan Social Club
City Diggers $1,000 for
Wollongong Guild Social
Club
Brighton Le Sands
$1,000 and Kingsgrove
RSL $1,500 for
Rockdale Social Club
19
Friendship Line
FRIENDSHIP LINE
1800 001 422
Hello Friends
Today I would like to tell you about two very fortunate
cats, who are 17 years old. They are owned by a
lovely member of our Guild. They are Himalayan
breed, named Hester and Hank. They have long
fluffy coats of bluish cream colour, blue paws, blue
patches on their face and ears and blue tails. Their
coats touch the floor, so they have to have haircuts
every summer. These cats have a bedroom of their
own, where they sleep on a four-poster bed, with
heated electric blanket. Oh, to be a cat like that...
Now, handy hints to get the most from your phone.
Often members are disappointed that our call went
to Telstra`s 101 answering service before they
were able to reach the phone. If the call has not
been answered within 20 seconds (6-7 rings) it
automatically goes to ‘101’. It sometimes take us
longer than this to reach the phone, particularly if
in another room. It is possible to lengthen the time
before the call goes to 101.
Step 1. Pick up phone receiver and press 99.
Step 2. Enter the number of seconds you wish the
phone to ring before a call is diverted (between 5
and 60 seconds).
Step 3. Press # then hang up.
Remember to lift up the phone every day to listen
TRANSPORT PROJECT
The Guild Transport Project assists eligible
members to continue attending their meetings
and events. For example, members who no longer
drive, who cannot get onto a bus or train, or have
mobility problems.
There have been two significant changes to the way
we have provided transport to our members over
the past 18 months. Firstly, more of our members
are being transported to their meetings by their
local Community Transport providers. Secondly,
cabs (Premier and St George) have replaced hire
cars at a number of Clubs.
The aim of these changes is to reduce expenditure
for the Guild, while continuing to provide appropriate
and reliable transport for our members. Over the
coming two years more focus will be on mobility
and safety for members using Guild Transport, and
20
for different dial
10am - 3pm, Mon - Fri
tone in case you
All members may
have a message.
register for calls
Messages
are
Veterans’ Line
only stored for a
limited amount
of time so if you
9am - 5pm
have been on
Every day of the year,
all members
holidays for four
weeks there may
be messages you have missed.
1800 011 046
If vision difficulties are also causing issues in using
the phone, Vision Australia may be able to assist
with aids and telephones. Telstra Disability Program
has big button telephones available for purchase or
rent.
Vale Maureen Smith
Maureen was one of the founding
volunteers for the Friendship Line
and a resident of Guild Housing
during her 28 years as a member
of the Guild. Maureen’s experience
and compassion were great assets
to the members she telephoned and to those with
whom she volunteered on the Friendship Line.
With warmest regards,
Pauline
ensuring members
who are eligible
for assistance take
advantage of this
service.
Earlier this year I
enjoyed a visit with
members at Bowral
Social Club and the
Cronulla-Sutherland
Guild Club.
Future events for 2015 are the War Widows’ Walk
and Picnic, the regional Christmas Parties and the
Sydney Christmas Party. Please see page 22 and
book Transport requests with me four weeks in
advance.
Jenny Yule
TRANSPORT COORDINATOR
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
SPECIAL EVENTS
Regional Christmas parties are planned for
members unable to attend the Guild’s Christmas
party at the Hilton in Sydney. These parties are
planned for Mid North Coast, Wagga Wagga,
Southern and Newcastle/Hunter regions.
the Newcastle/Hunter region, an event has again
been planned for the clubs in this region, including
Newcastle, Cardiff, Cessnock, Hunter, Maitland,
Morisset, Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace, Swansea,
Toronto and Wallsend. This year’s Christmas
Party will be held on Monday 30 November at the
Wallsend Diggers Club.
Clubs in the Mid North Coast region, including
Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Macksville,
Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Laurieton and
Wauchope, have been advised that this event
will take place on Monday 7 December at the
Macksville RSL Club.
There will be a Christmas Party for the Southern
region on Wednesday 2 December at the
Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, following the
success of last year’s event. The clubs at Ulladulla,
Nowra, Bay and Basin, Batemans Bay, Moruya
and Bega have all been advised of this event.
There will be a Christmas Party at Legacy House
in Wagga Wagga on Friday 27 November with
members from the Social Clubs of Wagga Wagga,
Leeton, Tumut and Narrandera invited to attend.
Members who live in these areas and who do
not attend the above clubs are also invited
to the regional Christmas parties. If you are
interested in attending any of the above please
ring Barbara Pittaway at head office toll-free on
1800 451 615.
Regional Christmas Parties
After the success of last year’s Christmas Party in
INVITATIONS
War Widows’ Walk
and Picnic
Melbourne Cup
Lunch
Guild Christmas
Party
All members are invited to the
War Widows’ Walk and Picnic
at the Kokoda Track Memorial
Walkway, Concord on Thursday,
29 October from 9.30am. The
event will finish at 1.30pm.
You are invited to a Melbourne
Cup luncheon on Tuesday, 3
November at Guild head office
in Sydney, starting at 11am for
morning tea followed by lunch
and the race. The wearing of
hats adds to the atmosphere
of the day and there will be
competitions for best hat,
smallest hat, largest hat and
most original hat and there will
be plenty of sweeps available.
Thursday, 10 December.
Registration and advice of
special dietary requirements is
essential; call 9267 6577 or for
country members 1800 451 615.
If you require transport, please
call Jenny before 1 October to
discuss eligibility and book.
Please register and pay by 8
October. Cost is $10, which
includes morning tea, lunch and
entertainment.
Cost is $25 for the lunch.
RSVP by 19 October to Barbara
Pittaway on 9267 6577.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
Registration from 10.15am,
doors open 11.30am for 12 md.
Please note: The party will be
held on Level 4 at the Hilton, the
same as last year.
Address: 488 George Street,
Sydney. Access via Pitt Street is
also possible.
Cost: $68 per person.
If you require transport, please
call Jenny to discuss eligibility
and book by 12 November.
Please advise of any special
requirements when you register
on 9267 6577 or 1800 451 615.
21
GUILD AND SOCIAL CLUBS NEWS
The Home Front: Welfare and Wellbeing of
Military Families event was held at the Casula
Power House Arts Centre in May. Special guest Mrs
Linda Hurley gave an interesting keynote address.
The discussion that followed explored issues faced
by returned service people and their families, and
how to assist them adjust. To conclude the day, over
15 different ex-service organisations, including the
War Widows’ Guild, were represented in the Home
Front Expo. Members Dianne Carstairs and Carol
O’Donnell volunteered to support this worthwhile
event.
The City of Greater Wollongong War Widows’ Guild
Club also chose to convert to a Social Club when
the Past State President, Wendy Thompson and
Lesley Mann visited Wollongong. The members
voted unanimously and the Wollongong War
Widows’ Guild Social Club commenced.
The Guild thanks the members who have
volunteered to take on the roles of Co-ordinator
and also sincerely thanks the outgoing committee
members of both of these clubs who have given so
much of their time and energy to the members of
the War Widows’ Guild in these areas.
Younger Members
Dianne Carstairs and Carol O’Donnell
Social Clubs
Bega
The members of the Bega Social Club met with
Lesley Mann, Manager Member Services at their
June meeting. Isabel Bobin had been the Coordinator but felt it was becoming too much for her.
Our thanks to Bronwen Whittaker, the daughter and
carer of member Hazel Moore, who volunteered to
take on the role of contact person and assist the
members to organise a get together lunch every
few months.
Conversions
There have been two Guild Clubs converting to
Social Clubs this year. Our National and State
President Meg Green attended the Toukley War
Widows’ Guild Club’s AGM, when the members
voted unanimously to convert to a Social Club.
Three members, Beryl Muddiman, Olga White and
Jacki Owen have volunteered to share the role of
Co-ordinator. They will be celebrating this landmark
at their 41st Birthday lunch on 31st July.
22
The Younger Members met for an Information
Day in March. Bill Roberts from Vietnam Veterans’
Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association,
State President Wendy Thompson, CEO Patricia
Campbell, Lesley Mann and Barbara Ryan
attended and spoke with the members. It was an
enjoyable day for all.
On 17 October the Younger Members are
combining with City Saturday Guild club for a
special presentation, get together and lunch as
part of Veterans’ Health Week.
Carers attending meetings
Some of our members are becoming less able to
attend meetings without the support of someone
else. If there is a non member, for example a friend
or family member who is willing and able to support
a member at meetings or to go on Club outings, the
Guild sees this as an advantage. The carer/support
person attending meetings or Club outings with a
member is covered by the Guild’s Social Activity
Grant, Travel Grant and Transport Project as well as
ClubGRANTS.
If you wish to attend meetings or outings with a
carer/support person, please notify the Club Coordinator.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
GUILD AND SOCIAL CLUBS NEWS
Mothers Day Lunches
Penrith Guild Club
Camden Social Club at the Camden Valley Inn
Outings
Raymond Terrace
Newcastle
Raymond Terrace Social Club visited Hunter Belle
Cheese, Muswellbrook, where the Brown Swiss cows’
milk is handmade into specialty cheeses
Liverpool
Newcastle went on a day trip, funded by
ClubGRANTS in May. The kookaburra, made of
car bonnets by a local artist and reminiscent of
the Guild’s emblem, is in Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri
Liverpool Social Club’s outing to Warragamba Dam
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
23
GUILD AND SOCIAL CLUBS NEWS
Wellington
Murwillumbah 30th Anniversary
A successful combined regional
Christmas in July was held
in Wellington with members
coming from Dubbo, Gulgong,
Orange and Bathurst. State
President (also National President) Meg Green
and Manager Member Services attended. Meg
gave an entertaining talk about her work and her
background. The day was enjoyed by all; 101 year
old Nida Eade (pictured) from Wellington Social
Club joined in the fun.
Four original members of the Club with current
President Marj Norris were among the 30 members
attending their 30th Anniversary celebration in
August.
L to R Gay Sweetnam, Betty Bevan,
Marj Norris, Glad Ginger, Iris Williams
The Entrance and Long Jetty
Newcastle Guild Club held a successful
Birthday lunch in August
AGM with the committee being President Enid
Pugh, Secretary Yvonne Porter, and Treasurer
Laurel Blow.
L to R Sandra Thomas, Janice Lawless,
Rod Smith, Secretary of RSL Club,
Fran Brock, Marie Nichol, Dot Bright
BOOK REVIEW
Farewell to Prague, by Miriam Darvas, © 2001
A compelling and quick read, Darvas's memoir is
an amazing survival story.
It is easy to get into, very well written, a thought
provoking and compelling story of a Belgian family
who must escape from Berlin under the power of the
Nazis. They begin a new life in Prague, where they
again must flee six years later when the Germans
march into the Czech Republic.
The eldest child and the author of the memoir,
24
Miriam Darvas, describes being forced to flee alone
and on foot and survive on her own. She walks
across the snow-covered Tatar Mountains. By train,
fishing boat, and ship, she finally manages to get
to England with some help from an underground
resistance movement. She comes of age there
during the bombing of London. Miriam returns
to Prague to learn the fate of her family after the
conclusion of the war.
For a small book it was packed with information.
I could not put it down and found it an excellent
description of her life back then.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
GUILD AND SOCIAL CLUB CONTACTS
COUNTRY
ALBURY & DISTRICT:
Val 6021 4246
ARMIDALE: Joy 6771 1751
BALLINA: Judy 6686 5801
BATEMANS BAY: Diane 4471 2844
BATHURST: Betty 6331 4030
BAY and BASIN: Ann 4443 0681
BEGA: Bronwen 6492 3925
BLUE MOUNTAINS: Iris 4751 2844
BOWRAL: Amanda 4871 2750
CAMDEN: Heather on 4655 3035
CARDIFF: Wilma 4958 2152
CESSNOCK: Flo 4990 7378
CLARENCE VALLEY (Grafton)
Margaret 6642 4724
COFFS HARBOUR:
Margaret 6654 3260
COOMA: Heather 6452 2111
COONABARABRAN:
Edna 6842 1993
COOTAMUNDRA: Beryl 6942 3663
COWRA: Josie 6342 1608
DUBBO: Margaret 0428 866 140
ETTALONG: Dell 4341 3289
FORSTER-TUNCURRY:
Elaine 6555 2799
GLEN INNES: Vi 6732 3619
GOSFORD Val 4368 1929
GOULBURN: Dot 4822 8875
GULGONG/MUDGEE:
Vera 6374 1791
GUNNEDAH: Judith 6742 1914
HUNTER: (Newcastle)
Jean 4942 2153
INVERELL: Beaty 6722 3323
KEMPSEY: Barbara 6566 8208
KIAMA: Madge 4232 2475
LAURIETON: Beth 6559 7877
LEETON: Heather 6953 5765
LISMORE: Kaye 6621 4515
LITHGOW: Marie 6352 2749
MACKSVILLE & DISTRICT:
Edna 6568 6063
WOLLONGONG: Marie 4284 1948
MAITLAND: Pam 0423 186 259
YOUNG: Kathleen 6382 6456
MOREE: Joan 6752 1828
MORISSET: Gwen 4980 1583
MORUYA: Carmel 4474 3160
MURRUMBURRAH - HARDEN:
Bettie 6386 2771
MURWILLUMBAH: Marj 6672 5475
MUSWELLBROOK:
Neita 6547 2460
NARRABRI: Jo 6795 4260
NARRANDERA: Val 6959 3427
NELSON BAY: Barbara 4981 5376
YASS: Phyllis 6226 1395
METROPOLITAN
BANKSTOWN: Pat 9790 0389
BLACKTOWN; Jan 9624 3501
CABRA-VALE: Norma 9725 3797
CAMPSIE: Wendy 9153 5383
CHATSWOOD & DISTRICT:
Betty 9419 4422
CITY SATURDAY: Diana 9635 5502
COOGEE RANDWICK:
Janet 9788 0731
NEWCASTLE: Yvonne 4967 4287
CRONULLA SUTHERLAND:
Maxine 9523 3072
NORFOLK ISLAND:
Sheila +6723 22253
DRUMMOYNE-FIVE DOCK:
Sue 0452 664 744
NOWRA: Pat 4421 3251
EPPING: Stephanie 9888 9340
ORANGE: Janne 6362 3148
HAWKESBURY: Dot 4573 2520
PARKES: Norma 6862 1451
HORNSBY: Eunice 9477 1911
PORT MACQUARIE:
Loyis 6583 4723
LIVERPOOL: Dulcie 9606 7123
QUEANBEYAN: Grace 6299 0665
MACARTHUR (Campbelltown)
Robyn 4625 8264
RAYMOND TERRACE:
Joan 4987 1445
MANLY-BALGOWLAH:
Head office 9267 6577
SWANSEA: Pat 4971 2896
NORTH RYDE: Kennie 9428 2031
TAMWORTH & DISTRICT:
Beverley 0427 970 108
PARRAMATTA: Diana 9635 5502
TAREE: Ruby 6552 6944
PENRITH & LOWER BLUE MTS:
Audrey 4727 0101
TENTERFIELD: Roxanne 6736 3914
PENSHURST: Barbara 9534 2048
THE ENTRANCE & LONG JETTY:
Sandra 4332 9804
PETERSHAM: Dot 9557 5921
TORONTO: Lorna 4959 1185
ROSE BAY: Marie 9371 6445
TOUKLEY: Beryl 4390 0052
TUMUT: Jenny 0419 618 102
TWEED HEADS: Pat 6674 2113
ULLADULLA & DISTRICT:
Margaret 4454 5736
WAGGA WAGGA: Laura 6922 7812
WALLSEND: Yvonne 4954 3541
WAUCHOPE: Ann 6585 1975
WELLINGTON: Shirley 6845 1700
WEST WYALONG June 6972 4122
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
ROCKDALE: Lorna 9519 3257
SEVEN HILLS: Kath 9688 2484
UPPER NORTH SHORE:
Gwen 9449 3342
WARRINGAH: Shirley 9982 1026
YOUNGER MEMBERS:
Meg 9499 9585
Our Clubs across NSW meet
mainly monthly. For further
information call the Club or
Guild head office on
9267 6577 or 1800 451 615
25
MEMBERS’ NEWS: AWARDS
Pat Holdorf
OAM
CORRECTION
We regret that the following news snippets were
matched with incorrect photos in the June Guild
Digest. They appear again here with the correct
photos.
Pat
Holdorf
was
awarded a Medal in
the Order of Australia
in
the
Queen’s
Birthday
Honours
List in June. Pat
is President of the
Bankstown
Guild
Club and has been
since
2007.
She
joined the Guild in
1999.
Margaret Paul
Pat has dedicated much of her life to studying
genealogies, a painstaking but rewarding
occupation and it was this work and the contribution
she has made to the Guild that was recognised in
the award.
Guild member Margaret
Paul was a founding
member of the Ballina
Laurel Club in 1975 and
has been with them ever
since. Margaret has also
been volunteering with the
Ballina Hospital Auxiliary
for 40 years, and was a member of the CWA for
many years. Margaret was recognised in March with
the Ballina electorate Woman of the Year award.
Joan Sykes
While much has changed since she began working
as an archivist, Pat believes there is still a role for
historical societies. Online resources ultimately
need to be verified, she says. “It’s all got to be
checked, because what’s put on there is not 100
per cent correct and the only correct way you can
do it is by the death certificates and finding all the
certificates.” Before the advent of the internet,
she would spend days trawling through archives,
reading all the old records.
Congratulations
to
Joan
Sykes,
the
Welfare Officer at the
Entrance and Long
Jetty War Widows’
Guild Club, who was awarded the Wyong Australia
Day Community Award for Volunteer of the Year.
Congratulations, Pat.
At the time of writing, the Guild has 38 members
100 years or older.
Daphne Caine
Daphne
Caine,
a
member
from
Tamworth Social Club
has been presented
with an outstanding
service award with the
Red Cross for 70 years
of service. The award
was presented by His
Excellency
General
The
Honourable
David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor of
New South Wales. The photo was taken
at Daphne’s 91st birthday lunch in June.
26
100TH BIRTHDAYS
Mrs Ella Leigh, Mrs Margaret Chapman, Mrs Elva
Nairn, Mrs Elva Julien, Mrs Mary Dalton, Mrs Violet
Porter, Mrs Olive Chesterton, Mrs Barrie Hardman
and Mrs Jean Constable have all celebrated their
100th birthdays in the last six months.
Mrs Joan Gay, Nellie Scott, Margaret Lynn, Mrs
Joyce Moriarty, Mrs Lorna Fitzgerald, Mrs Barbara
Browne and Mrs Norma Fordham celebrated 101
years in the same period.
Mrs Ilma Race and Mrs Ruby Mackie were 102, Mrs
Jean Kirkman was 103 and Mrs Dorothy Humbley
was 104.
Congratulations on achieving these milestones.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
red-hot poker standing tall on
top of a one metre rod. The
bright colours draw the eye
to the flowers, making a bold
statement that this garden is not
dull.
GOOD GARDENING:
SYMONDS SAYS
Red-Hot Poker
Red-hot pokers are native to
southern and eastern Africa.
They have long green grassylike leaves and require mild
winters. They like a sunny
position, well-drained soil, and
plenty of water in summer.
If you live in the colder areas of
Australia, when autumn arrives
there is very little colour in the
garden other than the changing
leaves. Where I live, winters are
mild and the gardens can look a
little drab. To boost the autumn
colour, I planted the Red-Hot
Poker or as botanically known,
Kniphofia, in my front garden.
The flower spears are red with
yellow bottoms, resembling a
I mulch the plant
with cow manure
four times a year,
and in spring give
them a complete
granular fertiliser.
TASTY TREAT
1-2 cups fruit: eg ½ cup sultanas,
½ cup raisins, 3-4 prunes,
4-5 dates, 3-4 pieces ginger
(chop all fruit where necessary)
Dorothy’s Slice
3 heaped tblspns
chopped walnuts
1 large egg
Juice 1 orange
1 cup SR flour
¾ cup plain flour
Buttermilk
tspn each cinnamon
and ground ginger
½ tspn nutmeg
tspn baking powder
Method
50g butter
Into a measuring jug put egg and
orange juice. Fill to 250 ml with
buttermilk. Beat together, add
sherry and vanilla.
¼ cup water
¾ cup brown sugar
Tblspn golden syrup
Tblspn sherry
tspn vanilla
Besides the tall varieties, you
can purchase dwarf plants.
Other flower colours available
are pink, orange or yellow. I
have never seen them for sale in
the local nurseries, but they are
readily available through the mail
order nurseries.
Happy gardening,
David Symonds
Snails and scale
can be a problem;
otherwise they
are trouble free.
Propagate from seed
5 chopped apricots (optional)
Ingredients
or by division in spring. Remove
all dead leaves and old flower
spikes at the end of flowering.
Into a saucepan put fruit, sugar,
butter, water; heat until butter and
sugar melted; cool.
GUILD DIGEST SEPTEMBER 2015
Add buttermilk mix and walnuts.
Sift flours, baking powder and
spices into a bowl; add contents
of saucepan, stirring gently to mix
well.
Line flat baking tray with baking
paper (20cm x 30cm) and spread
mixture on tray.
Sprinkle top with extra walnut
pieces.
Bake 170 degrees for 40 minutes or
until cooked.
By member Dorothy Ransom
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I will love the light for it shows
me the way, yet I will endure the
darkness because it shows me
the stars.
Og Mandino, American author
27
Woronora Military Memorial