A PROMISE KEPT FOR 100 YEARS

By Sarah Waters

In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help Australian defence force families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of a loved one.

This year marked 100 years since that promise was made - and kept.

To recognise the service of Legacy, a centenary plaque dedication was held at Chris Cunningham Park in Tweed Heads last Wednesday.

Legacy representatives, war veterans and war widows attended the dedication to pay tribute to the work the organisation has done over the last century.

President of Legacy Gold Coast Craig Kingston refected on Australia’s wartime history and how the loss of 100,000 Australia soldiers during WW1 and WW2 impacted the nation.

“The greatest impact of the death or poor health of a veteran is always felt frst and foremost by the family,” Mr Kingston said.

“This year Legacy commemorates its centenary of providing

6.25 support to these families often trying their best to fll the role of a missing husband, father, brother or uncle.

“Legacy did this for the families of 100,000 veterans who gave their lives over two generations when our nation was young and our society had been robbed of the cream of its young men,” he said.

Mr Kingston said although there are nowhere near as many casualties among the newer generations of veterans, they still faced a lot of challengessome different, and some similar, to the WW1 and WW2 veterans.

Legacy has continued to care for families who have suffered from the effects of mental trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of war.

“The challenges of mental health are stark, and we now have many veterans who have given their health in the service of our country,” Mr Kingston said.

Chaplain Rob Sutherland spoke about how he supported many veteran families after they lost a loved one in confict.

Mr Sutherland said Legacy was the ‘most trusted defence force charitable organisations’ which provided grieving families with the ongoing help they needed.

Tugun resident Dorothy Olney became involved her local Legacy Laurel Club - a social group for war widows - in 2007 after her husband, a former defence force member, passed away.

Mrs Olney said the Laurel Clubs were a valuable support to her and many other ladies who had lost their husbands, during or after war.

“You’ve got to think about others, not just your own sad time,” Mrs Olney said.

“There are others who are going through the same thing you are, and they all need your help as much as you need their help,” she said.

After the dedication, Chaplain Rob Sutherland blessed the Legacy centenary plaque.

The dedication was held during Legacy Week, from August 27 – September 2, which is the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser.

Fundraising for Legacy originally started in 1942, during WW2, to help to raise funds for the widows and children of soldiers who did not return home.

It was known then as the War Orphans Appeal. Legacy currently supports 40,000 individuals and families across Australia with the help of more than 3400 volunteer members, known as Legatees.

The organisation was born in the trenches of the Western Front during WWI, when a soldier said to his dying mate ‘I’ll look after the missus and kids.’

This became known as The Promise, which it is still kept alive today.

To learn more or to donate visit: www. legacy.com.au/about-us/