The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay had a local touch when Cohuna’s Geoff Hall was chosen to be one of 1,500 torch bearers to participate in the 50,000km 6-month journey.
The relay commemorates Legacy’s centenary and recognises the sacrifices of families and the efforts of volunteers who have provided support in that time.
Legacy was formed 100 years ago to provide the stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to their family, and now supports over 40,000 partners and children of veterans who sacrificed their lives or health while serving Australia.
Beginning in April at Pozieres British Cemetery in France, the Centenary Torch travelled to Belgium and then London, where King Charles oversaw the flame’s journey, before arriving in Western Australia. 44 Legacy clubs around Australia were visited before its finale at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on October 13.
Geoff’s leg of the relay was in Bendigo on September 21.
“I felt it a privilege and an honour to be selected,” said Geoff as he explained the application process, whereby a mere 24 Legatees were selected as torch bearers for the 8km Bendigo leg from close to 2,000 applicants.
A Legatee himself, Geoff is the treasurer of the Kerang Legacy Group, which covers Quambatook, Kerang, Pyramid Hill, Leitchville, Cohuna, Barham, Koondrook, Murrabit and Wakool, and looks after about 60 Legacy widows.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 9 November 2023.
