A gathering of serving and ex-serving women, widows, corporate figures and public servants in Bundanoon at the weekend have formulated a landmark initiative for veterans and their families.
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A framework for the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service (CWFUDS) was drawn up at the weekend conference and set out aims to address gaps in existing veterans' services and representation.
War Widows Guild state president Rhondda Vanzella said the women came together to design a council that would foster “leadership by collaboration”, seeking to engage with a diverse background of veterans and families.
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“We’re women united by defence service. It can take in all women; serving and ex-serving, their aunt, their sister, their step-sister. It is an initiative to ensure that no voice is ignored,” she said.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs secretary Liz Cosson said the group had identified the need for a strong voice for women in the veteran community and she was committed to helping facilitate the needs of the council.
“We tend to focus on a widow rather than a family. My father was a serving member and I know the impact it had on my brother, myself and my mother. There is a real gap and I’m working very closely with these women to help implement this vision,” she said.
The next step for the council will be to draft a strategic plan over coming weeks before they reconvene as a group in February. Plans will then be finalised and the council will move a step closer from Bundanoon to The Lodge.
“All of our work so far has been well-timed and we’re getting somewhere. With the federal budget having been moved up to April, it seems that the stars have definitely aligned for us and our vision will hopefully become a reality,” Ms Vanzella said.
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