Our Journey: Empowering Women Veterans Across Australia
In October 2013, a spark was ignited. The very first Facebook page dedicated to women veterans, called Women Veterans Association Australia (WVAA), was born.
Its mission? To create a space where women veterans could connect, share, and find solidarity through shared experiences.
Fast forward to February 2014, and our very first face-to-face catch-up took place in Townsville, QLD. What started as a single event quickly snowballed into a nationwide movement. By the end of that year, we were hosting catch-ups both online and face-to-face, reaching women veterans from every corner of Australia.
In July 2015, history was made with the RSL-funded Women Veterans Symposium in Brisbane. This groundbreaking event gave serving and ex-serving women veterans a platform to have crucial conversations about the unique nature of women’s military service. From transitioning challenges to the stereotypes and perceptions faced by young female veterans, these discussions set the stage for change.
Later that year, Ramon Fenton and Barbara Craven-Griffiths took the next bold step by expanding beyond the WVAA Facebook page. On the 25th July 2015, they launched the Women Veterans Network Australia (WVNA) – a national network of closed Facebook groups where women veterans could find a safe, welcoming, and supportive community. The bond forged by shared military service, regardless of rank, age, or years of service, became the backbone of this thriving digital sisterhood.
By the 5th August 2016, WVNA had officially incorporated as an association in Queensland, and just under a year later, it was officially registered as a not-for-profit charity on the 1st July 2017.
The mission was clear: to connect, support, and advocate for women veterans across Australia.
WVNA's core objectives were simple but profound:
To provide a space for women veterans to connect, share information, and access services
To create a safe, supportive network, both online and in local communities
To collaborate with veteran organizations to address the unique health and wellbeing needs of women veterans, easing their transition and tackling isolation
To raise funds through donations, grants, and fundraising to fuel our mission
To support regional WVNA groups with vital resources for women veterans
Under the visionary leadership of Nicky Rothwell, WVNA reached new heights, delivering unforgettable campaigns like By-the-Left and publishing the deeply impactful Our Spirit book – two milestones that have left a lasting legacy on the women veteran community.
Today, WVNA is the largest and oldest organisation for women veterans in Australia, standing proudly as the country’s largest social media platform for female veterans. Our Facebook pages – the Women Veterans Network Australia (WVNA) and the exclusive Women Veterans Network Australia Forum – unite thousands of women across the nation. We’ve also expanded our presence to Instagram and LinkedIn, broadening our reach and continuing to amplify the voices of women veterans.
Our journey continues, and with every step, we move closer to building a stronger, more connected future for women veterans across Australia.