The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, will come to Gosford next month to celebrate Legacy’s 100th birthday.
The relay is a worldwide campaign to honour and acknowledge veterans’ families, saluting their sacrifice for 100 years.
It began its journey in Pozières, France on April 23 with an official opening ceremony, then travelled to Menin Gate, Belgium, and on to London before arriving in Australia where it will visit all Legacy Club locations around the country.
The Australian relay started in Albany, Western Australia, and then visited South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland before coming to NSW.
After NSW it will continue its journey through Victoria and Tasmania, culminating in Melbourne, where the first Legacy Club was established 100 years ago, on Friday, October 13.
The Central Coast leg of the relay arrives in Gosford on Saturday, July 15.
Brisbane Water Legacy CEO Peter Lawley said Minister for Veterans and for the Central Coast David Harris will launch the relay at 10am at Legacy Village in Gosford.
It will then head to Lions Park next to Gosford Olympic Pool, then along the pathway edging Brisbane Water, under Brian McGowan Bridge, around Industree Stadium, into the Gosford Waterfront park and up to the Gosford Cenotaph before returning to finish at Legacy Village.
There will be 15 torchbearers and six Legacy widows participating.
“Legacy Australia Inc was founded in 1923 on a promise made to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one,” Lawley said.
“Brisbane Water Legacy on the Central Coast has been in existence since 1951.
“In addition to community welfare and advocacy support for our families and widows of veterans, we operate an affordable rental retirement village at Point Frederick, which we are about to redevelop.
“We currently have 800 enrolled beneficiaries.
“Legacy on the Central Coast spends almost $1M each year on providing support to our families of veterans through housing, medical and ancillary health financial support, social clubs and outings.
“We also fund scholarships for descendants of veterans in tertiary or other study.
“Since 1971 we have paid out $682,000 to more than 60 recipients.
“All this is funded by Legacy on the Central Coast, through community donations, (a key annual donor is the Chapman Trust in Gosford), a strong investment portfolio and business activities from our retirement village, and previous aged care facilities (sold in 2015).”
Legacy Australia Chairman Eric Easterbrook said the torch relay was a fitting commemoration of a century of service.
“Over the decades, Legacy has had a significant impact on many spouses, partners and children of veterans in the state of NSW,” he said.
“We hope this relay will raise awareness of the important work Legacy does across the state in supporting our veterans’ families.”
To date torch bearers have raised more than $180,000 for Legacy.
Donations can be made at https://legacy.com.au/donate
Terry Collins