A new campaign is calling on Australians to buy a war widow a coffee in honour of the sacrifices they have made for the country.
Today marks War Widows Day in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT.
As most of the nation reflects on sacrifices made for our war efforts, Australian War Widows NSW is calling on people to support two fundraising campaigns in order to support the 15,000 war widows living throughout the state.
Running throughout the month of October, the Buy a Widow a Coffee Campaign allows the Australian public to purchase a virtual coffee on behalf of a NSW war widow. These virtual donations - which start at $5, will allow war widows in rural and regional areas to get together for a coffee with women who have similar shared experiences at their local war widows social club.
Those wanting to support war widows can also purchase a wattle lapel pin for the price of $10 each.
The limited-release pin represents Australian resilience, strength, and remembrance - qualities often displayed by Australia's war widows. The wattle also commemorates the World War I tradition which saw wattles pressed and sent to the wounded, or to be buried with fallen soldiers.
All funds raised by both campaigns will support the delivery of social clubs in metro, regional and rural locations. Clubs meet once a month to provide a safe community for war widows and veteran families with similar experiences.
Australian War Widows NSW president Queen Dunbar said war widows are the "silent heroes of the veteran community".
"By purchasing a lapel pin or a coffee for a war widow, you are demonstrating your recognition of this incredible group of women who have sacrificed so much," she said.
Australian War Widows NSW has also launched a petition calling on the federal government to recognise War Widows Day nationally.
The organisation's chief executive Renee Wilson said the 15,000 war widows in NSW only skimmed the surface of those who need support.
"We know there are at least 40,000 war widows nationally who deserve to be honoured as well," she said.
"Over the last 12 months we have seen other state governments have stepped up to honour these important Australians, we think it is time (for the) federal government do the same."
