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Vasey Housing was named
after its founder, the late Mrs Jessie Vasey BA, CBE, herself a war widow
of one of Australia’s most distinguished soldiers Major General George
Vasey CB, CBE, DSO, MC (Greece), DSC (USA) Commander of the 6th and 7th
Divisions of the Second AIF, who was killed when his aircraft crashed in
the mouth of the Barron River near Cairns on a flight to New Guinea on the
5th March 1945.
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General Vasey was one
of Australia’s finest and best loved soldiers. His concern for his men
and their dependants caused him to ask his wife to do all she could to
help the wives and widows who had been left behind. Mrs Vasey had
helped to establish the A.I.F. Women’s Association, and was therefore
already heavily involved in work of this kind. After the death of her
husband, she started to fight for the thousands of War Widows who were
living in near poverty on a pension which had remained unaltered, save
for a total rise of three shillings, from 1916 to 1945. In 1945 Mrs
Vasey formed the War Widow’s Guild in Victoria and by 1947 the Guild
became an Australian wide organization and a recognized force in the
fight for better conditions for War Widows and their families.
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Major General G.A.Vasey
Lakes Hill Track, Ramu Valley
P.N.G.
December 1944
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Mrs Vasey & then
Brigadier Vasey on his return from the Mediterranean in 1942
Insert: Mrs Vasey is honoured by Australia Post in the Australia
Remembers Stamp Series on the 20th April 1995. |
In the years
following the war it was difficult for War Widows to obtain War
Service Homes because of the large number of servicemen returning to
civilian life. Flats and houses were at a premium. By 1950 the Guild
was constantly receiving calls from some of its older members who were
living alone and found it almost impossible to find accommodation
within their means.
Mrs Vasey felt that the solution would be to start building homes for
War Widows who were over the age of 60. The Guild had practically no
means, so those early years were marked by a constant struggle. On
many occasions it was hard to see how the organization could stay
afloat financially, but every time this happened Mrs Vasey would
somehow scrape up the funds needed to carry on. Gradually a few old
houses were acquired and converted into bed-sitting room
accommodation, then a Monster Raffle was held, with the proceeds used
by the Guild to start its building programme, which in turn led to the
establishment of Vasey Housing in Victoria in 1959.
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This photo shows Mrs Jessie Vasey (second from left), her two
sisters, Thelma Halbert (left) and Doris Sleigh (second from
right), and General Vasey’s sister Marjorie (right) waving
goodbye to RMS Strathallan, leaving Melbourne on the 15
December 1939. |
As a result of
Mrs Vasey’s dedication and commitment “The Vasey Housing Auxiliary
– N.S.W. (War Widows’ Guild)” was formed in 1959.
When the scheme
first started, accommodation was made available to War Widows
only. In the years that followed both Vasey Housing & the War
Widows Guild struggled with their own separate ideals as to who
should be eligible for accommodation.
In 1962 those initial
ties with the War Widows’ Guild in NSW were severed. This change meant
that the Association was now free to offer its services to not only
War Widows, but to ex-servicewomen and the female family members of
ex-servicemen. On the 23rd March 1962 the Association was incorporated
under the Companies Act and changed its name to The Vasey Housing
Auxiliary - NSW.
Later, as
accommodation became available and in accordance with the Memorandum
and Articles of Association, eligibility was extended to include
beneficiaries other than War Widows. Beneficiaries included any person
over the age of 60 who:
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Had served in the Defence
Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia, or of the British
Commonwealth of Nations, or of any ally of any member of the
British Commonwealth of Nations, in any war or hostilities in
which the Commonwealth of Australia was, or is for the time
being, engaged;
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Is related
whether by blood or marriage to a person described above;
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Was wholly or
partially dependent upon a person described above, because of
poverty, sickness, destitution, helplessness or other distress;
or,
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In the opinion
of the Board, deserving of charity within the spirit and
intention of the laws relating to Public Charitable Trusts in
N.S.W.
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It was and always will be
a policy of the Board to give preference to War Widows, Widows of
Ex-Servicemen and to Ex-Servicewomen.
The purchase and
construction of Vasey’s villages were in part assisted with funded under
the Aged Persons Home Act 1954 - 1957 (NSW).
On the 25th June 1975 the
Association made one more change in its name, to The Vasey Housing
Association, N.S.W.; which it continues to operate under today. The
Association from that point on, operated as a company limited by
guarantee.
With the passing of time,
the declining number of surviving war widows; and to ensure that our
Jessie Vasey’s work can continue, the Association decided to open its
doors to both single men and women over the age of 55, who wish to enjoy
an independent and dignified life style.
A contribution decided by
the Board from time to time provides life residency in a Vasey Unit. An
additional weekly maintenance charge is levied covering outgoings such as
council & water rates, building insurance, external lighting and gardening
to name a few. Under certain circumstances, the Board of Directors does
make available units on a rental basis.
Over the years The
Association has constructed Retirement Villages at Concord, Epping,
Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Maroubra and Waitara, comprising a total of 272
self-contained independent living units. In 2002 the association sold its
smallest village at Concord, after the relocation of residents to other
villages.
Vasey has its head office
premises located on Level 6 of 283 George Street Sydney, with a small
permanent staff, to attend to the day-to-day management of the villages.
Vasey’s current Board of
Directors possess skills in law, accounting, engineering, management,
property and marketing. Some of the current directors also have a military
service background.
Over the years
distinguished Servicemen have continued to ensure Vasey’s strong Defence
Force Connection. Some of Vasey’s past Chairmen include: -
Major General Sir Ivan Dougherty
KtCBE, DSO, and Bar, ED LLD, BEc. |
General Sir John Northcott
KCMG, KCVO, CB, KtStJ. |
Major General John Bishop, DSO,
OBE, ED. |
Major General Ray Sharp
AO, RFD,
ED. |
Brigadier Bruce
Trimble OAM RFD (Ret'd). Vasey's current Chairman. |
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The Association’s five
Retirement Villages, are located in some of Sydney’s most picturesque
suburbs, and continue to serve the purpose for which they were originally
built. Vasey Housing continues to move forward whilst maintaining its very
proud history.
Today, with over 40 years
experience in the Retirement Industry, Vasey Housing still maintains it’s
“not-for-profit” status, and continues to offer great value, as well as
comfort and security to its residents.
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Patron: Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC
CVO
Governor of New South Wales pictured here with Brigadier Bruce Trimble
OAM RFD (Ret'd), Vasey's current Chairman. |
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Vasey's aim is to provide quality units and property management for
single persons over the age of 55, wishing to enjoy an independent and
dignified style of living. |
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Downloadable Newsletters, FAQ's &
Privacy Statement |
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Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE, attending the
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. |
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(02) 9299 3951
or
email us |
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