Legacy Australia
Encyclopedia
Legacy is an Australia
n organisation, established in 1923 by ex-servicemen
. The organisation has the aim of caring for the dependents of deceased Australian service men and women. The dependants of World War I
, World War II
, the Korean War
, Malayan emergency
and Vietnam War
deceased are cared for. In addition the peacekeeping operations in East Timor
, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
have provided ongoing work for Legacy. Finally, any death which is deemed service-related is attended to by Legacy.
Volunteer members are called "Legatees" because they accept the 'legacy of care' for their comrades' families; this title has continued to the present day. Some 7,000 legatees assist more than 122,000 widows and 1,700 children (referred to by Legacy as "Junior Legatees") and disabled dependents across Australia providing assistance, accommodation, medical and social support. Legacy's assistance depends on the individual situation of the person supported. With the help of Legatees, who stay in touch with all families, Legacy ensures families receive their Legacy entitlements and access to government benefits.
As well as financial help, Legacy provides companionship and assistance with the education of children. Assistance in dealing with the Army
, Navy
or Air Force
, or the government is provided. In particular, specialist assistance is provided in submitting applications for Compensation for Dependants of Deceased Members and Former Members, including for War Widow's pension
s and Income Support pensions. If initial claims are unsuccessful, when appropriate, Legacy will arrange for advocates before review tribunals. These services are provided at no cost to claimants. Legacy also solicits donations from the public to assist with its mission.
A road tunnel under construction in Brisbane
is named Legacy Way in honour of the men and women serving in the Australian Defence Force
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n organisation, established in 1923 by ex-servicemen
Ex-service
Ex-service is a British term which refers to those who have served in the British Empire or Commonwealth Armed Forces. Earlier, the term ex-servicemen or Ex-servicewomen was used, but has been replaced with one having no gender connotations....
. The organisation has the aim of caring for the dependents of deceased Australian service men and women. The dependants of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Malayan emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
and Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
deceased are cared for. In addition the peacekeeping operations in East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
have provided ongoing work for Legacy. Finally, any death which is deemed service-related is attended to by Legacy.
Volunteer members are called "Legatees" because they accept the 'legacy of care' for their comrades' families; this title has continued to the present day. Some 7,000 legatees assist more than 122,000 widows and 1,700 children (referred to by Legacy as "Junior Legatees") and disabled dependents across Australia providing assistance, accommodation, medical and social support. Legacy's assistance depends on the individual situation of the person supported. With the help of Legatees, who stay in touch with all families, Legacy ensures families receive their Legacy entitlements and access to government benefits.
As well as financial help, Legacy provides companionship and assistance with the education of children. Assistance in dealing with the Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
or Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
, or the government is provided. In particular, specialist assistance is provided in submitting applications for Compensation for Dependants of Deceased Members and Former Members, including for War Widow's pension
Widow's pension
A widow's pension is a payment from the government of a country to a person whose spouse has died.Generally, such payments are made to a widow whose late spouse has satisfied the country's requirements, including contribution, cohabitation, and length of marriage.-United States:In the United...
s and Income Support pensions. If initial claims are unsuccessful, when appropriate, Legacy will arrange for advocates before review tribunals. These services are provided at no cost to claimants. Legacy also solicits donations from the public to assist with its mission.
A road tunnel under construction in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
is named Legacy Way in honour of the men and women serving in the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
.
Further reading
- Legacy: The First Fifty Years - Lyons, Mark. Legacy Council/Lothian, Melbourne, 1978. ISBN 0 85091 069 2