WHAT WE DO:
WVNA is a network helping women veterans connect with each other to share information and access services. Focusing on social connection activities and
events, we provide a network of support for women veterans to communicate with
each other, establish and maintain social relationships, maintain connections within the military ethos; and learn about accessing support services as required.
Connection
WVNA supports organisations who help women veterans. We work together with all applicable ex-service organisations (ESO’s) to establish peer support networks focused on the specific health and wellbeing needs of women military veterans to ease transition issues as our members leave military service, whilst providing opportunities for long-term social bonding and peer networking to address isolation issues relevant when transitioning from military service.
Support
We are committed to empowering, sharing information and resources with current and ex serving women who have served in the Australian Defence Force so that they can access networking and support opportunities plus improve their transition and reintegration outcomes.
Resources
Our Objective
Assist women veterans in Australia to socially connect and support each other - by sharing information and assisting access to support services.
Assist
Provide a safe environment where women veterans can network and connect in local activities, social groups and social media.
Provide
Liaise with veteran organisations and community groups to focus on the specific health and wellbeing needs of our members by identifying specific issues relating to the unique aspects of military service that create problems or challenges for women veterans.
Liaise
Our Aims
We are Australia's oldest and largest not-for-profit association supporting women veterans. Commencing in 2013, and formally operating since 2016, our association is proud of our achievements in assisting women veterans in Australia to socially connect and support each other - by sharing information and assisting access to support services.
To achieve our aim, WVNA has established a network of groups as an efficient means for women veterans to join and make connections via social media and face-to-face gatherings both nationally and in various regions around Australia. WVNA operates by core values to define how we interact with one another, our partners and those we serve as follows:
Our Mission Statement
We honour everyone’s unique service experience and operate in a spirit of cooperation, compassion and understanding.
RESPECT
We are committed to sharing information and resources with past and present women who have served in the Australian Defence Force so that they can take initiative and make decisions to solve problems, deal with challenges and improve their lives.
CONNECTION
We are building a strong community of women who have previously served in the military: where sharing information and ideas is encouraged and can be met with safe and supportive responses.
SUPPORT
We are committed to empowering and sharing information and resources with current serving military women, and women military veterans so that they can access networking and support opportunities, deal with challenges and improve their transition and employment outcomes.
RESOURCES
We are honest, transparent and ethical in our relationships and service to the women veteran’s community and other ex-service organisations.
INTEGRITY
Our community is inclusive of all women who have served, and we support all organisations who assist veterans with equality and compassion.
INCLUSION
We provide encouraging support which will empower confidence for women veterans within a cohesive and engaging environment on social media, and in local networking groups.
ENCOURAGEMENT & EMPOWERMENT
Our story began with an online chat between a number of women veterans about setting up a Facebook page for women who have served in the Australian Defence Force.
In October 2013 Ramon Fenton created the first women veterans Facebook page, called Women Veterans Association Australia (WVAA). The aim of this page was to share posts of general interest to women veterans.
In February 2014 we held our first face to face catch up in Townsville QLD. By the end of the year we were holding catch ups online and face to face all around Australia.
In July 2015, the RSL funded a Women Veterans Symposium in Brisbane. During this Symposium, a number serving and ex-serving women veterans held pivotal conversations regarding the unique nature of women's military service, and particularly how they sought support after transitioning from the military, and the issues relating to perceptions towards young female veterans.
Following the Symposium, Ramon Fenton and Barbara Craven-Griffiths expanded from the WVAA facebook page – to establish a national network of closed Facebook groups for women veterans: called the Women Veterans Network Australia (WVNA) on 25 July 2015. The impetus for the early founders was the desire to provide a safe, cohesive, and engaging environment for current and ex-servicewomen to connect and share information and resources via social media. Particularly noting that similar or shared experiences of military service - regardless of service, rank, age, locality or the number of years of service, creates a fundamental bond that can be incredibly welcoming and supportive.
WVNA become incorporated on the 5 th August 2016, and rapidly expanded to now a not-for-profit charity organisation as of the 1st July 2017.
#everyoneneedsasister
#findyourcrew
