By Melissa Coleman
The Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch in conjunction with its women’s auxiliary hosted a morning tea to commemorate local War Widows on Wednesday 19 October.
The day acknowledges the sacrifices widows have made and their support to their loved ones.
Presently there are more than 10,000 war widows in Queensland who continue to foster friendships and provide advice and support to one another.
Local nurse Bev McLean said the Stanthorpe RSL Sub-branch Women’s Auxillary contacted her.
“They said they were going to have a luncheon for the war widows and sent me an invitation,” she said.
“It was really a lovely morning tea and very much appreciated.”
“It’s really nice to know that they are thinking of us,” she said.
Although Mrs McLean knew some of the women at the morning tea, there were a couple new to her.
“It’s good to recognise that there are women out there who are going through the same thing.
“I enjoyed meeting the other widows, and sharing our stories,”
Five months ago, her husband, Ronald McLean, passed away after a battle with cancer.
“I get a little emotional these days, it’s still a bit raw,” Mrs Mclean admitted.
“He was one of the most genuine people.”
Ronald was one of the first Australians wounded in 1965 in the Vietnam war.
He spent eight months in hospital afterwards and medical staff didn’t expect him to live.
“They flew his mum over to see him,” Mrs McLean said.
Not long after, Ronald came back to Stanthorpe to recover and that’s when he met his soon-to-be wife, Bev.
“He came to the hospital to get his wounds dressed, but it was later the following year that we met up again and started seeing each other.”
Ronald was heavily involved with the RSL more than 50 years ago.
“He was president of the club for around 10 years,” Bev said.
Member for Southern Downs James Lister attended the Warwick event.
He said this year marks 75 years since War Widows Australia started, and they have a proud place in today’s veterans community.
“I was very pleased to have lunch with local war widows in Warwick last week as part of Queensland War Widows Day.
“Apart from being our local MP, I’m a veteran myself, and also the Shadow Assistant Minister for Veterans, so spending time with our local war widows was a great joy to me,” Mr Lister said.
“Australian War Widows Queensland is a terrific organisation which serves their membership with advocacy, assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs, access to accommodation, and fellowship.
“It was very interesting to listen to the stories of the ladies and to think about the sacrifices they’ve made and the hardships they’ve experienced,” he said.
