Nariel woman, Joy Bennetts, will be one of 30 participants from the region who will participate in the Centenary of Legacy Torch Relay which will travel through the streets of Wodonga and Albury on Saturday 5th August.

The local torch bearers all have a connection to Legacy or the Australian Defence Force.

The relay commemorates Legacy Australia’s 100 years of service to the families of those veterans who have given so much to our country. It is a six-month campaign presented by Defence Health, having commenced just prior to Anzac Day this year on those very battlefields in Pozieres in France where that first promise was made.

The relay will cover around 50,000kms across the globe, with 1500 torch bearers participating.

The ‘Legs for Legacy’s’ campaign goal is to raise $1 million to help keep the Legacy Promise alive.

Joy Bennetts said she was honoured to be an official torch bearer for the Legacy Relay 2023.

“I will be travelling from my home town of Nariel Valley to Albury on August 5th to honour my grandfather, Aaron Beattie, my father Adrian Beattie and my mother Dorothy Beattie who were dedicated supporters of Melbourne Legacy for more than 80 years,” she said.

“As part of my role, I will also be going the extra mile to raise funds for the Legs for Legacy campaign – a dedicated fundraising initiative running alongside The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023.

“Every donation contributes towards continuing Legacy’s services which provide financial, emotional and social support for veterans’ families so they can grow and thrive despite adversity. Please support my leg of the relay by donating to my Legs for Legacy campaign page online at www.legsforlegacy.com.au/fundraisers/JoyBennetts.

The local leg of the relay on August 5th starts at the front of the Army Base at Bandiana at approximately 10 am and finishes at the waterfall memorial at the SS&A Club in Albury around 2pm.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 20 July 2023.