Legacy helps fills Craig’s sails Craig Leto may have learned from an early age he can’t control the wind, but he can certainly adjust his sails and QAS Legacy has been proudly supporting him through this journey. Craig and his mum Louise recently travelled to Brisbane from their home in Tasmania for Craig to receive his dad Zachary (Zac) Leto’s posthumous National Medal. Zac, a popular member of the service, had started his career in 1993 as an honorary Ambulance Officer and worked his way to Intensive Care Paramedic, serving the Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Emerald communities. Zac and his three‑year‑old daughter Ashley were both tragically killed in a car accident on 11 May 2005. Louise was pregnant with Craig at the time of Zac’s passing.
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QAS Legacy Scheme has been providing ongoing support to ambulance family members left behind like Craig and Louise.
Now, he’s 15 (going on 30 according to Louise) and Craig said QAS Legacy has helped him pursue this dream.
We last caught up with Craig as an 11-year-old in 2017 and his love for the ocean has continued with the years.
“Because of QAS Legacy I’ve been able to attend a great school, go on school camps, and I’ve also been attending Australian Navy Cadets, which is something I really love,” Craig said. “QAS Legacy also provided me with pretty important tools like a laptop for school, so I’d really like to thank those who contribute to it, for helping to make my dreams a reality.” Louise said Craig has a long list of plans for his future. “Some of his plans include becoming a Marine Technician in the Royal Australian Navy,” Louise said. “He loves sailing, so he wants to win line honours in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, and the Rolex Fastnet Race. Sailing is what he lives for. “The contribution QAS Legacy provides makes the world of difference to me
Summer 2021–22
financially as the money I receive for Craig goes directly to his school fees for the year and I am able to send him to a fantastic school which has helped shape him into an amazing young man. “It would not have been possible for me to make this choice for him without this support,” Louise said.
