Legacy helps thousands on the Sunshine Coast
Thu 24 April 2008
Adina Rathmanner, Bachelor of Journalism
As people pay their respects to the fallen on Anzac Day, many overlook the wives and children who will suffer hardship beyond that of having lost a family member.
It is here that Legacy Australia, a group that has long been associated with Anzac Day on the Sunshine Coast, offers assistance.
The Legacy group has been around since 1923, when it was established by ex-servicemen who wanted to ensure that widows and dependants of military personnel lost in battle, would continue to be cared for.
Although Legacy’s original aim was to care solely for the immediate families of men lost in World War I, it has now grown to include many more.
Currently the list includes those lost in WWII, Korea, Malaya, Malaysia, South Vietnam, peacekeeping operations in East Timor, the war in Iraq and even any death which is deemed service related.
Overall Legacy aids around 122,000 widows and 1800 children and people with disabilities across Australia.
Here on the Sunshine Coast, Legacy operates as an independent part of the Brisbane branch.
The Sunshine Coast Group of Brisbane Legacy’s Secretary, Mr Allan Quartermaine says “legacy has been operating on the Sunshine Coast in excess of 50 years”.
“This [sub-group] was established as a part of Brisbane Legacy as constant travelling to Brisbane was not possible in those times,” he said.
Presently Sunshine Coast Legacy holds responsibility for more than 1900 widows in an area that covers Beerwah in the south, right through to the northern limits of Noosa and west to the Blackall range.
This work is mainly carried out by volunteers called “Legatees” (Men of Legacy), who ensure that families in their care receive Legacy entitlements and have access to government benefits.
Although the Legatees provide much of the help and support, Legacy is aided by other sources as well, Mr Quartermaine said.
“For example service clubs support ‘badge week’ and Legacy widows assist and many schools support badge sales, he said. “It would be fair to say that people of all ages support the cause.”
There are four groups that benefit in particular from Legacy’s care. These groups are widows, children through to young adults, the aged, and the disabled.
The aged are cared for by providing advice and financial support if they need it by Legacy who also over see any accommodation concerns and the general well being of the aged in their care.
Children and teens are helped with their schooling needs and assistance is provided for those who wish to undertake tertiary education.
Some servicemen have left behind disabled children who Legacy also cares for by providing support for the remaining parent.
Widows form and run groups called ‘Laurel Clubs’, under the supervision of Legatees.
“They arrange outings and various functions for mutual benefit”, Mr Quartermaine said.
These groups exist in Beerwah, Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mudjimba and Noosa, with two care groups situated in Nambour and Coolum.
Legacy is not associated with the government and it relies completely on the generosity of the public through fundraising and donations.
In the first week of September each year, badge week is held where Legacy groups, service clubs, schools and the widows themselves all help out in what is the biggest fundraising activity Legacy holds.
Image(s) designed by Adina Rathmanner
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Submitted Comments
It was brought to my attention that this site exists and that there is some good reading there.
There sure is, - and i am surprised how good some of it is. Great work Adina!
Ken Mitchell
This is a story that needs to be taken out to the public as not many people would know about those very dedicated volunteers and their so valued help they provide to so many people.
Julie Ardent