Legacy is an Australian non-profit organisation established in 1923 by
ex-servicemen. Legacy provides support to the families of
Australian Defence Force men and women who have lost their life or health in conflicts such as
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
,
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
,
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...
,
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and K ...
and
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
. In addition, any death which is deemed service-related may be eligible for assistance by Legacy.
Volunteer members are called "Legatees" because they accept the "legacy of care" for their comrades' families; this title has continued to the present day. 4,000 Legatees assist more than 40,000
widows and 1,800 children (referred to by Legacy as "Junior Legatees") and disabled dependents across Australia providing assistance, accommodation, medical and social support. Legacy's assistance depends on the individual situation of the person supported. With the help of Legatees, who stay in touch with all families, Legacy ensures families receive their Legacy entitlements and access to government benefits.
As well as financial help, Legacy provides companionship and assistance with the education of children. Assistance in dealing with the
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
,
Navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...
, or
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
, or the government is provided. In particular, specialist assistance is provided in submitting applications for Compensation for Dependents of Deceased Members and Former Members, including for War
Widow's pension
A widow's pension is a payment from the government of a country to a person whose spouse has died.
Generally, such payments are made to a widow whose late spouse has fulfilled the country's requirements, including contribution, cohabitation, and l ...
s and Income Support pensions. If initial claims are unsuccessful, when appropriate, Legacy will arrange for advocates before review tribunals. These services are provided at no cost to claimants.
A road tunnel under construction in
Brisbane
Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...
is named
Legacy Way
The M5 Legacy Way (formerly Northern Link Tunnel) is a long tunnel linking the Western Freeway at Toowong and the Inner City Bypass at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane. The project consisted of two bored tunnels carrying two motorway grade lanes of tr ...
in honour of the men and women serving in the
Australian Defence Force.
Fundraising
Funds are raised by a variety of methods, the most notable being the sale of special badges and other goods during "Legacy Week". This is usually during the first week of September when mainly school children volunteer their time to accomplish these sales, especially in Australia's central business districts. Legacy also solicits donations from the public to assist with its mission.
In the past money has also been raised from special events, sponsorships, dinners, bequests and other events.
Australian postage stamps
In 1973, the Australian Post Office issued a 7 cent
commemorative stamp
A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp, often issued on a significant date such as an anniversary, to honor or commemorate a place, event, person, or object. The ''subject'' of the commemorative stamp is usually spelled out in print, unlike defi ...
to commemorate 50 years of Legacy in Australia.
Also in 1948, the then current 2½d Red
Mitchell commemorative stamp
A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp, often issued on a significant date such as an anniversary, to honor or commemorate a place, event, person, or object. The ''subject'' of the commemorative stamp is usually spelled out in print, unlike defi ...
was
privately overprinted with the words "Supporting Legacy for 25 years" and a value ranging from 1/- to £1 was also added which was the fundraising amount in addition to the legal cost of stamp of which the denomination was 2½d. Ten values were issued and were intended to raise funds for Legacy. It is believed these stamps were authorised by the secretary of Fremantle Legacy Club in Western Australia.
Legacy Park, Campbell ACT
Legacy Park Campbell is an urban memorial park in the suburb of western portion of
Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, a short distance from the
Australian Department of Defence
Australian(s) may refer to:
Australia
* Australia, a country
* Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia
** European Australians
** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists
** Aboriginal Aus ...
headquarters at
Russell Offices
The Russell Offices, also referred to as Russell or RO, is a complex of office buildings located in Russell a suburb of Canberra, constituting the seat of the Australian Department of Defence and part of the administrative headquarters of t ...
. It was officially opened on 30 September 2001, the 75th anniversary of Legacy.
The memorial has a stone wall with three mounted bronze plaques, and a seat for visitors to contemplate the memorial. The approach to the memorial is by the loop walkway off Savige Street, Campbell, with concrete stepping stones every several metres, each mounted with the name of an Australian city or town and a piece of stone representing that city.
An
Aleppo Pine, a descendant of the original
Lone Pine of
Gallipoli, was planted in the park on 30 June 2006.
File:Legacy Park Canberra.jpg, view from Savige Street
File:Legacy Park CBR Pine sign.jpg, sign on Lone Pine
File:Legacy Park CBR Pine view.jpg, Lone Pine and memorial
File:Legacy Park CBR left sign2.jpg, left plaque
File:Legacy Park CBR centre plaque.jpg, centre plaque
File:Legacy Park CBR right sign.jpg, right plaque
File:Legacy Park CBR path marker.jpg, path marker
References
Further reading
*''Legacy: The First Fifty Years'' - Lyons, Mark. Legacy Council/Lothian, Melbourne, 1978.
External links
*{{Official website
1923 establishments in Australia
Advocacy groups in Australia
Aftermath of World War I
Charities based in Australia
Lobbying organisations in Australia
Veterans' affairs in Australia
Organizations established in 1923