When he was 10, his father died, but he inherited "a Legacy adviser" who proved to be a surrogate father.
The adviser stayed with Stan Mackie, 80 now, as he wended his way from being a Waverley College student and into the workforce.
Mr Mackie wanted to study medicine and to repeat his final high school year to get better marks.
"The adviser said 'no, you're not going back to school, your mother is cleaning the floors in a doctor's, you're going to work in the bank'. "
Mr Mackie, from Mortdale, didn't argue and set off on a fulfilling bank career.
He has little memory of his own father, who he believes died after suffering a punctured lung while serving in New Guinea.
The care which Legacy provided included financial support to put him through school, typical of the organisation's role in the lives of those whose lives were torn asunder by the untimely death of a serviceman.
Now Mr Mackie is retired he has returned the favour by helping out at Legacy, something he has done since 2004.
For another Legacy volunteer Lucy Clarke, 26, a recent experience has given her some insight into what World War II Australian soldiers experienced when she walked the Kokoda Track in New Guinea.
"Some of the people on that track [in the war] were only 18 and 19, they were still kids," she said.
Ms Clarke, from Oyster Bay, said her maternal grandfather died after the war from ulcers, and her New Guinea experience allowed her to hear about the experiences of other soldiers.
She became a Legacy volunteer after someone from the organisation visited the family's real estate business.
LEGACY OF CARING
Legacy grew out of the ashes of World War I and the Diggers’ promise to look after the families of their fallen mates.
Australia has lost about 100,000 in wartime conflict.
During Legacy Week, August 31 to September 6, badges, wristbands and toy bears will be sold.
Legacy Australia chairman David Gray said Legacy supported about 90,000 families, from babies to those aged over 100 years.
‘‘Legacy families all have in common the heartache of losing a loved one, either physically or mentally, which can last a lifetime,’’ Mr Gray said.
Details: legacy.com.au or call 1800 534 229.
What are your memories of what Legacy has done for you?
