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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-02 Daily Xml
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War Widows Day

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:09): Earlier this year on 16 March, it was my privilege to announce at the Port Pirie RSL that 19 October had been declared War Widows Day in South Australia. This followed a request from Mrs Diane Carr, President of the Australian War Widows of South Australia, to make such a declaration in our state, as was already the case in New South Wales and Queensland.

It is worth noting the bipartisan nature of the War Widows Day declaration. I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of the proposal by the member for Hammond and the member for Dunstan. Establishing a dedicated day to recognise and honour our war widows and widowers is a simple yet significant gesture to acknowledge all who have been touched and bereaved by the death of a spouse resulting from defence service.

The War Widows' Guild was founded by Mrs Jessie Vasey in 1946. Mrs Jessie Vasey was the widow of Major General George Vasey. During World War II, while on leave, Major General Vasey called in on the widow of one of his former men. He was appalled at the living conditions of war widows and decided that after peace was declared it would be his intent to fight for better compensation for war widows.

Following her husband's death in an air crash just outside Cairns in 1945, Mrs Vasey decided to carry on with her husband's pledge and remind the government of their promise made to the men who enlisted that their widows and children would be cared for. The organisation has continued to support and give a voice to war widows, since at both state and national level, as well as provide companionship and a supportive community for war widows.

The date of 19 October is the birthday of Mrs Vasey and an appropriate day to acknowledge the ongoing contribution and support of the South Australian war widows. On War Widows Day, approximately 100 war widows attended a high tea at Ayers House, and later in the day our Governor Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC hosted a reception to commemorate Australian War Widows Day 2023. A number of members of this house attended this particular event. Also, Parliament House was lit up in royal blue, the official colour of the Australian War Widows of South Australia.

I would like to congratulate the members of the Australian War Widows of South Australia on their advocacy and persistence to make this day a reality and on the work they do on behalf of those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind members that Saturday 11 November is Remembrance Day. At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. Of the Australian population of five million, more than 400,000 men and women served in the Great War. Approximately, 60,000 Australians died and 156,000 were wounded or taken prisoner.

Across our history, more than 103,000 Australians have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our democratic way of life. Our thoughts are with all the families who have had to bear the loss of loved ones during all conflicts, loss that is impossible to fathom for those of us who have not experienced it. I would encourage all members of this house and the other place and the general public to attend a Remembrance Day service on 11 November. Lest We Forget.

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