A CHURCH service and luncheon to commemorate the five Australian defence force personnel killed in Afghanistan last week has launched Legacy week in Warrnambool.
Warrnambool badge chairman Terry Morrissey said Legacy badge day was on Friday.
“This is our biggest week of the year and we would encourage everyone in the district to support Legacy this week,” Mr Morrissey said. On Friday Legatees and volunteers from the Laurel Club, Warrnambool Servicemen’s Association, Vietnam Veterans’ Association and the Army Reserve will help in the collection, which is Legacy’s key fund-raiser for the year.
Legacy was established in Warrnambool in 1947, with its primary task to look after the windows and children of deceased former service personnel.
The branch has 64 active members across Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Mortlake, Derrinallum, Cobden, Timboon, Camperdown and Terang districts.
The Legatees in the area look after about 500 widows and 14 dependants, the majority in Warrnambool.
Mr Morrissey said that over the years Legacy had financially supported children through university and arranged for teenagers to attend Legacy camps.
But he said that through recent conflicts — East Timor, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq — there was even more work for Legacy. Widows receive a special gift each year at Christmas and there is an annual widows’ lunch.
A special club for widows, the Laurel Club, hold events throughout the year.
Legatees assist widows with any matters that may need personal assistance, including contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs, pensions, finances and welfare.
athomson@standard.fairfax.com.au
