While in recent years she has retreated to a somewhat quieter life in Exeter, Vanzella remains a towering figure in advocacy, philanthropy and politics. 

So, when she decided it was time for the role of women in defence services to be recogised, it took only a few phone calls to muster the support needed to create the first mass gathering of women to Honour Women United by Defence Service.

“I am a collaboratist; that’s what I call myself. It’s my job to be there to support others. It’s my job to knock on the door, see it’s opened and help others walk through it,” Ms Vanzella said.

“We have grossly overlooked the service of women in our defence services, but also the service of families; the wives, the mothers and grandmothers, the daughters of our service women and men. It was about acknowledging the sacrifices made by not only veterans but their families,” she said.

As state president of the War Widows Guild of Australia, Ms Vanzella coordinated with six other organisations to establish the event at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

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Legacy, RSL NSW, TPI Federation of Australia, Womens Veterans Network Australia, Australian Defence Force and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs joined forces to honour the sacrifice of the 218 women who have died in war, the thousands of others who have served, their mothers, partners and daughters, and the women quietly soldiering on the home front.

“This collaboration epitomises the power of women; and how, if we all work together, we can bring about a stronger voice, better support and better understanding for all Women United by Defence Service,” Ms Vanzella said.

The event comprised of a Last Post Ceremony at the memorial and was attended by prime minister Scott Morrison, opposition leader Bill Shorten, director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson and many members past and present of the Australian defence services along with their families.

Following the ceremony, a national dinner was held where 2018 Prime Minister’s Veteran Employee of the Year, Rachel Ranton spoke.

“It was about women supporting women in remembrance. Acknowledging that we have a place to stand in remembrance and a rightful place to stand there,” Ms Vanzella said.

“As a society, we remember and acknowledge the service and sacrifices of our service men, but there are many women that also serve and many families that stand beside them and they too have made sacrifices,” she said.

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