Bundaberg Legacy continues to work closely with the community by providing support to families of veterans and next week, locals are invited to give back to the organisation.
The annual Legacy Week will run from Sunday 28 August until Saturday 3 August with widows and volunteers establishing stalls in Bundaberg and surrounding suburbs, Gin Gin, and Childers, selling Legacy badges, pens, and bears.
The Legacy badge available at the stalls is a special emblem of support for veteran’s families, symbolising the nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion, and fairness.
Legacy Bundaberg President Len Gordon said each year the organisation relied on Legacy Week to raise funds to continue the fantastic work they do within the community.
“Each year the need for financial assistance to undertake this support becomes more competitive with more charities emerging and seeking funds from the public and businesses.,” Len said.
“Legacy is a vital component of the overall support that is available within the community and endeavours to work closely with its fellow organisations such as the Returned Services League, Bundaberg Defence Veterans Drop-in Centre, Veterans Support Centre, Bundaberg District Women Veterans, to name a few.”
Len said the organisation and its volunteers supported families in a range of different ways, including educational support.
“Bundaberg Legacy has supported the children of veteran’s families by providing financial support for their educational needs and over the years is proud to have seen most of our children advance to higher education, through university and become professionals in their chosen fields,” he said.
“Bundaberg Legacy is also a place where veterans can come and seek advice regarding Department of Veterans Affairs claims and to come and meet fellow veterans and have a chat.”
Len said his own experience had made him realise how big of a role Legacy played in his life, hoping to continue to support other families in need, in the same way.
“I became a ward of Legacy when I was a toddler following the death of my father, who had served in World War 2 and survived but succumbed to an accident at home,” he said.
“That first Christmas was difficult for a mother of six children or varying ages from late teens to a toddler however Legacy provided toys for the children and groceries for the Christmas dinner.”
Bundaberg stalls will be open from 9 am to 4 pm commencing on Monday 29 August to Friday 2 September.
The stalls include:
- Stocklands Shopping Centre
- Hinkler Central Shopping Centre
- CBD – Bourbong Street outside Elders Insurance
- Bargara Central Shopping Center
- Bunnings
Legacy Australia was formed in 1923 based upon the promise a soldier said to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and kids”.
Bundaberg Legacy itself was established in November 1948 to fill the need for regional support of veterans.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Legacy Australia a ‘Torch Relay’ will be conducted over six months commencing on ANZAC Day 2023 in Pozieres, France through to the city of London, before returning home to Australia.
You can find out more about Legacy here.
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