Corporate entry: Legacy
Summary
Legacy is a volunteer organisation dedicated to the care of the widows and children of deceased servicemen - their 'legacy'. Legatees' work involves emotional, practical and financial support for deceased veterans' families, including social activities, employment, and education support for their children.
Details
The Legacy movement originated in Hobart in 1923 with the formation of the Hobart Remembrance Club under war hero Sir John Gellibrand. This consisted of a group of returned soldiers who agreed to support the employment opportunities of returned soldiers and their businesses, which were suffering alarming rates of failure. The Hobart club inspired the formation of Legacy in Melbourne, yet repeatedly rejected requests to officially join the growing Australia-wide Legacy movement. The Launceston Remembrance Club (formed 1927) however was affiliated with Legacy in 1930, officially changing its name to Launceston Legacy in 1933. Despite adopting some Legacy-type work, the Hobart Remembrance Club did not officially join Legacy until 1940. During and after the Second World War Legacy broadened its activities in Tasmania, to include not only care of veterans' children but support for their widows.
Legacy in Tasmania is divided into Hobart and Launceston branches with smaller regional sub-organisations. In 2003, approximately 5000 widows and 30 children were receiving some form of assistance from Legacy's support network.
Andrew Richardson