As people honour veterans, past and present, on Anzac Day, Legacy asks that they also think of the families left behind.
Legacy supports 65,000 Widows and children across Australia, the families of veterans who have given their lives or health serving our country.
Legacy was founded on a promise, from a soldier to his mate, in the trenches of World War I to “Look after the missus and kids”.
Legacy provides a range of programs for the Widows and Beneficiaries of soldiers who served in World War II, Vietnam and in more recent conflicts.
Legacy’s work is done by volunteers, called Legatees, who liaise with the Widows and/or families to see what support they need.
In the St George-Sutherland Division of Legacy we have have around 1,350 widows and children.
This is challenging but we are determined to support all those in our area so we need more Legatees and other volunteers to assist in our important work.
In Legacy’s early decades Legatees had a military background but today’s Legatees come from all walks of life. All they need is some time and a willingness to help.
Some believe Legacy’s work is done.
That is not the case as we are seeing an increase in the number of Widows of Vietnam veterans and more than 72,000 Australian Defence Force personnel have served overseas since 1991.
Legacy has 65,000 widows nationally and 1,800 children and veterans dependants with a disability.
There is an increasing number of young families turning to Legacy for help as they attempt to keep their lives on course as their veteran spouse or parent deals with their personal ravages of active service or other serious issues.
Legacy provides practical, emotional and financial support to families of Australian Defence Force personnel who have given their lives or health. This means Legacy will be needed for many years to come.
Legacy assists Widows through bereavement, ensuring they receive any benefits to which they are entitled and then see that they remain socially included.
Legacy believes that no family should suffer financially or socially because of the death or injury of a veteran spouse, partner or parent.
- St George Division Chairman, Legatee Graham Boyd.
