This day will connect families in the most organic way, creating lifelong relationships, fostering resilience and empowering the community.
From this month, current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) families in South Australia will be honoured with an official day of recognition.
In a nation first, South Australia will formally recognise 15 May each year as Veterans’ Families Day
The newly-instated annual day of recognition pays tribute to the backbone of the veteran community – the families, children, partners and spouses – who support our veterans each and every day.
Accounting for 6% of South Australian households, veterans’ families play a vital role in supporting veterans, both during and after service. Members of defence and veteran families can face immense sacrifices, including partners giving up their careers to accommodate frequent relocations and fulfilling the role of two parents while the serving member is deployed. Children in veteran families also encounter a unique set of challenges associated with life as a military family.
In introducing Veterans’ Families Day, South Australia is taking a leadership role in delivering much deserved recognition of the strength and resilience of Defence and veteran families.
As an organisation that has spent over a century serving families of veterans, President of the Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill Inc Legatee Robert Eley CSC is a strong supporter of the inaugural day.
“Veterans’ families are the life blood of the Defence community and all too often we forget the sacrifices they make to ensure that their family unit remains strong when the serving member is both away and at home,” Mr Eley said.
“This public recognition reinforces the importance of the veterans’ family unit in the ongoing well-being of those that serve or have served, so let’s give them the huge thank you they deserve.”
Hayley Boswell CEO of Defence Kidz echoed the sentiment, explaining that the day provides an important moment for connection and celebration.
“This day will connect families in the most organic way, creating lifelong relationships, fostering resilience and empowering the community,” Ms Boswell said.
Ms Boswell urges organisations to play their part by recognising and celebrating these integral members of the veteran community.
“We look forward to seeing schools, bases, community centres, ex-service organisations, Government and non-Government organisations embracing this important day that allows us to collectively recognise and celebrate our Defence and veteran families.”
Veterans’ Families Day will be held in alignment with International Day of Families which is also marked on 15 May.
