General News
25 April, 2023
Centenary journey to reach Horsham
As we prepare to commemorate Anzac Day, the families of Australian soldiers are being remembered with a torch relay beginning on the other side of the world. The Legacy flame will start its journey in France, on Sunday, to celebrate 100 years of...
As we prepare to commemorate Anzac Day, the families of Australian soldiers are being remembered with a torch relay beginning on the other side of the world.
The Legacy flame will start its journey in France, on Sunday, to celebrate 100 years of service to widows or widowers and families of soldiers.
The torch relay will begin in Pozieres, and continue through Belgium and London before arriving in Perth and then crossing Australia.
It will travel 55,000km, through 100 stops, and involve 1500 torch bearers, all of whom have a personal connection to Legacy.
Dual Olympian and torch relay ambassador Dr Jana Pittman will launch the 100-day countdown in Sydney.
Wimmera Legacy will play its part in the festivities with a torch relay through Horsham's streets in September.
The proposed route includes May Park, Horsham RSL, the city's Cenotaph and Anzac Bridge, ending with a gathering at Legacy House in Pynsent Street.
Organiser Phil Nicks said 11 walkers with close connections to Legacy would participate in Horsham's torch-carrying relay, which was one of many planned across Australia on that day.
Mr Nicks said the event was an important commemoration for the nation.
"It recognises the sacrifice of so many families over the past century as well as the efforts of countless volunteers who have supported them through grief and hardship," he said.
“By involving the community, together we pay respect to our Legacy families and keep the Legacy flame alive."
The charity organisation was founded in 1923 as a remembrance club in Hobart by General Sir John Gellibrand.
Another returning soldier, Stanley Savige, established a similar club in Melbourne.
It started with a promise by Australian soldiers to help veterans’ families after the death or injury of a soldier in the Great War.
Legacy’s reach and impact has grown, with 44 clubs now established in local communities across Australia and one in London.
It supports 43,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving their country.
Wimmera Legacy has 33 Legatees who care for about 90 widows.