Jessie Mary Vasey Courtyard Named at Vasey House
23 February 2017
The War Widows Guild Australia (Vic) recently made a generous donation to Vasey RSL Care, to renovate one of the courtyard areas at Vasey House in Bundoora.
Vasey House was built in 1997 and extended around 10 years ago: it is home to 90 residents. The home was purpose-built with gardens and courtyards surrounding the wings, allowing light and nature into every corner. Easier access to the outdoor areas was needed and as well as updating of the area to make it more usable and easier to maintain.
We were delighted to be notified last year that the War Widows’ Guild (WWG) in Victoria had decided to make a substantial donation for the installation of new automatic doors to one of the courtyards, and for the redevelopment of the space.
In gratitude to the WWG, the courtyard was officially reopened on 21 February, and named in honour of their founder, Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey. Janna Voloshin, CEO, and Margaret Miles, State President of the War Widows’ Guild (Vic) Inc, unveiled a plaque to officially rename the courtyard as the Jessie Mary Vasey Courtyard, in honour of the founder of the War Widows’ Guild.
Members of the WWG (Vic) committee, Gail Best and Wendy Charlton attended, along with Jill Wilmott, State Administration Officer for the WWG (Vic), Robert Winther and Geoff Freeman from the Austin Repatriation Hospital, Lee-Anne Suryn and Steve Best, general managers at Vasey RSL Care, Elaine Simpson, Residential Manager and team members at Vasey House, and residents from Vasey House who will be able to take advantage of the courtyard.
War Widows Guild Committee Members and CEO Janna Voloshin: (from left) Gail Best, Margaret Miles, Janna Voloshin and Wendy Charlton.
Janna Voloshin, Vasey RSL Care CEO (right), thanks the War Widows’ Guild (Vic) for making the renovations possible.
WWG (Vic) State President, Margaret Miles and Vasey RSL Care CEO, Janna Voloshin, unveil the new plaque to officially rename the courtyard.
Invited guests fill the Jessie Mary Vasey Courtyard.
Guests read the plaque.
Guests take in the new garden, automatic doors and overall improvements, including low-maintenance pebble-covered garden beds.
Geoff Freeman (l) and Robert Winther from the Austin Repatriation Hospital with Jill Wilmott, State Admin Officer for the WWG (Vic).
Guests were treated to the best afternoon tea served on the finest china.
Margaret Miles and Janna Voloshin cut the cake.
The plaque will be a permanent reminder of the gift from the War Widows Guild (Vic) and the importance of Mrs Vasey in supporting the widows of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.