For us, it’s personal. We see the strength, the sacrifices and the quiet resilience every day.
May marked an important month for Veterans SA, as we came together through a series of events to celebrate Veterans’ Families Day 2026.
This year, Veterans’ Families Day was celebrated as a Festival of Families across several days from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May, with events bringing Defence and veteran families, veteran organisations together with the wider South Australian community in different ways, each reflecting a shared message of gratitude and connection.
On Friday 15 May, Veterans SA in partnership with Defence Kidz hosted a Veterans’ Families Day High Tea at Ayers House.
Hosted by Dr Sharon Mascall-Dare OAM GAICD and with keynote speeches by Veteran Family Commissioner Annabelle Wilson and Olivia Savvas MP, the event created a warm and welcoming space where families, students and community members came together to celebrate the day.
A highlight of the morning was a tri-service panel featuring Commander Rebecca Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel Thuy-An Vu and Wing Commander Mark Fox, who shared honest reflections on service life and its impact on families.
The discussion resonated strongly, particularly with students in attendance, whose thoughtful questions reflected both curiosity and their lived experience of Defence life. It was a moving reminder that understanding often comes from shared experience.
South Australia first led the nation in 2024 by establishing an official Veterans’ Families Day on 15 May, recognising the vital contributions of ADF families. This leadership has since influenced Western Australia, which became the second state to formally recognise 15 May to acknowledge the role of defence and veteran families.
Veterans SA Director Bianca Wheeler reflected on the growing significance of the day across the community.
“When South Australia first recognised Veterans’ Families Day in 2024, it was about making the invisible visible – shining a light on the families who stand beside our service personnel every step of the way,” Ms Wheeler said.
“For us, it’s personal. We see the strength, the sacrifices and the quiet resilience every day.”
That sense of recognition continued across the broader community the following day, with Veterans SA hosting an activation at Elizabeth City Centre on Saturday 16 May.
In the middle of a busy shopping centre, people paused to write messages of thanks, share reflections and tie ribbons in support of veteran families in our community. These simple actions created moments of pause and gratitude, contributing to an installation that for the next year will tour key veteran sites across Adelaide sparking more conversations.
“It was wonderful to connect with so many South Australians who have a defence connection and see the community take time to recognise veteran families in such a genuine way,” Ms Wheeler said.
On Sunday, Veterans SA joined the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia (SA Branch) for a community event at Mawson Lakes, that brought veteran families together for a day of fun and celebration. Through music, activities and conversation, the day reinforced connection, belonging and the importance of community.
Earlier in the month, Defence Member and Family Support South Australia also held a National Families Week event at the Adelaide Planetarium, where guests were treated to an immersive journey through space.
Veterans SA was proud to support the event, where families enjoyed interactive space sessions, explored the galaxy and connected over refreshments, games and conversation. The event provided a welcoming opportunity for Defence families across South Australia to come together, celebrate their diversity and simply enjoy time as a community.
Across every event, one message stood out: military service is never carried alone. It is shared by families through deployments, relocations, uncertainty and change.
Veterans’ Families Day provides an important opportunity to shine a light on the strength, resilience and contribution of veteran families to our communities every day.
