Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC presents an RSL NSW ‘Thank you for your service’
quilt to Penrith RSL sub-Branch member John Fenton. Photos by Noel Rowsell
THE NSW Governor, Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, was in Penrith on Sunday 8th March (International Women’s Day) to unveil a plaque dedicated to women veterans who have served in both peace and war.
A member of the Western Sydney Women Veterans group had highlighted to Del Gaudry CSC, the group’s coordinator, that Memory Park was missing recognition of any dedication to Women Veterans.
Del subsequently spoke to Mr John Fenton from the City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch about applying for a grant to have a plaque, and the idea ‘grew legs’, with a decision made in October 2025 that International Women’s Day 2026 would be a great day to dedicate the plaque – and why not invite the Governor of NSW!
When Government House responded just before Christmas to advise that the Governor had accepted the invitation, John and Del were very excited but it did mean a lot of work to be done to ensure everything fell into place.
John’s Cancer diagnosis didn’t stop him from assisting from the sidelines, with whatever needed to be done, and Sunday was an amazing day in so many ways.
From the two young female soldiers, the female bugler, the Military Wives Choir and all the Women Veterans who attended – so many commenting to Del about how it made them feel so moved by the service and the recognition.
The Service saw women veterans travel from Bathurst, Lithgow, Bowral, Wollondilly, Bankstown and Castle Hill, as well as many from the local area.
Air Commodore Susie Barnes represented the Air Commander as the most senior current serving woman from Glenbrook, and Wing Commander Cath Plenty attended from RAAF Richmond.
Some of the areas highlighted by both the Governor and Del included:
– More than 81,000 women in Australia have served and are a vital and growing part of the veteran community
– Women face unique challenges during service, and after hanging up their uniform
– Ex-Serving females are twice as likely to die by suicide than civilian women
– Many veteran organisations are not geared up or understand women veterans’ needs might be different to their male counterparts.
However, across Australia, organisations are stepping up to change the landscape. The Women Veterans Australia, the Women Veterans Network Australia and countless RSL sub-Branches are expanding programs, advocacy and support.
These efforts build connection, visibility, and much-needed reform in a systems long built without women in mind.
Del’s final words in her address were: “We hope with this public memorial that one day a woman veteran is walking through this very park, notices this plaque and what it says, and she thinks ‘that’s me they are talking about!”
Footnote: Del was in the Penrith RSL club on Tuesday morning when a woman came up to her and introduced herself. She told Del that she had been in the Army for 6 years but because her father, husband and brothers had all been Army, she felt insignificant and her service history was less valued. That changed when she was at the Service on Sunday, and she is even thinking of joining the local group of women veterans when they next catch up.
