Page 37 - TPI Victoria Inc. CHINup Winter 2018 Edition-FINAL_Neat

TPI VICTORIA INC. • CHINup WINTER 2018 • WWW.TPIVIC.COM 35
War Widows

Guild, Victoria asks….

Ex-Service Organisations –

Why they have been so successful!

Like many ex-service organisations, which were initiated from necessity due to the impact of war, the War
Widows’ Guild Victoria is no exception. Many ex-service organisations would not have commenced or continue
to exist if not for the selfless contribution of volunteers and community minded people.

One such person is Kath Banks who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2018 Queens Birthday
Awards. The award serves as recognition and appreciation for Kath’s contribution over many years. Kath’s
attitude to life and her compassion and caring for others is an example to all and we need more Kath’s in the
world.

Kathleen Banks was born in 1927 the daughter of a World War 1 returned serviceman, raised in the area of Glen
Iris, Melbourne her life changed dramatically when in 1936 her father died because of his war service, leaving
her mother a war widow. Also around this time Mrs. Jessie Vasey wife of Major General George Vasey accepted
the role of secretary in the AIF Women’s Association who provided support to widows and families of ex-
servicemen. Kathleen’s mother became a member of this association and later Kathleen became involved.

Towards the end of the war in
March 1945 Major General
Vasey died in an air crash
departing for overseas
deployment thus resulting in
Mrs. Vasey becoming a war
widow.

Knowing too well the effects
of war from the discussions
with her husband and her
experiences in the AIF Jessie
took it upon herself to create
an organisation that would
provide self-help to its
members.

The Craft Guild was formed in
November 1945 to provide
skills to widows, to lobby for a
higher pension and the long-
term goal was to raise funds to
provide housing, which was
not readily available to
widows due to low pensions
and the banking policy not to
lend money for housing to
widowed wives.

In 1959, Kathleen married an ex-serviceman, a widower caring for three children; Kath became an instantly
adored mother. The family first lived in Surrey Hills then in 1970 moved to Syndal and subsequently to Glen