On Thursday, September 7, the Legacy Torch Relay will pass through Horsham carried by a local Donald identity and war veteran, Brian Williams, in support of veteran families and widows, of which there are nine remaining in the township of Donald.
The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 is a 6-month campaign to pay homage and acknowledge veterans’ families, saluting their sacrifice. The relay is also a chance to thank and acknowledge the countless volunteers across local communities, who have provided assistance and support, such as Donald’s own Brian Williams.
The torch travels over 50,000 km, through 100 stops, carried by approximately 1,500 torch bearers to raise over 10 million Australian dollars.
The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health started on April 23, 2023, in Pozières, France.
After travelling through London, which is the only Legacy Club outside of Australia, the Torch will travel to all 44 Legacy Clubs in Australia.
For more information or for volunteer applications visit www.legacytorchrelay.com.au or download the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay mobile app.
100 Years of Keeping the Promise
In the trenches of the Western Front during World War I, a soldier said to his dying mate, “I’ll look after the missus and kids”. This became known as The Promise.
Realising the dire circumstances of the tens of thousands of veterans, widows and children left behind, those who returned set out to help them.
In 1923, Major General Sir John Gellibrand formed the Remembrance Club in Hobart. Another returning soldier, Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige, was inspired to establish a similar club in Melbourne which was named Legacy.
In responding to the needs of families of veterans for 100 years, Legacy, in conjunction with the network of Legacy Clubs throughout regional and metropolitan Australia, stands proudly as the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated solely to the care and support of our veterans’ families.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 September 2023.
