A PERFECT day of sunshine warmed the backs of the 17 torch bearers participating in the Hamilton & District Legacy leg of the international Legacy Centenary Torch Relay in Hamilton on Monday.
It was an emotional day in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Legacy that required a massive logistical coordination by Legacy Australia, Perfect Events (event organisers), Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, Victoria Police members, Hamilton 315 and Monivae College Cadets and numerous volunteer community members assisting the honoured individual torch bearers along their routes.
Dressed from head to toe in a Legacy branded white tracksuit, the torch bearers were summonsed to attend a briefing on the day’s events before they wound their way through the streets bearing the flaming torch.
Hamilton & District Legacy treasurer, Rod Papworth, was a fortunate Legacy beneficiary as the son of a returned serviceman.
On Monday, he joined 2000 global torch bearers who participated in the relay that started in France on ANZAC Day, before going on to Belgium, England and Australia, travelling more than 55,000 kilometres with 100 stops over the six-month journey.
Mr Papworth gave a moving address before the first torch was lit and the ribbon cutting ceremony which kicked off the relay at HILAC at 10am.
He said the day was not just in celebration of 100 years of Legacy but in homage to the service of our Defence Forces and veterans and it was because of their sacrifice, “that we may live in peace in this great country today”.
As a veteran himself (ex-Army), he reminded those in attendance that Legacy began on the battle fields in Europe in World War I when the iconic promise was made by a soldier to his dying mate who had asked him to “look after the missus and the kids”.
“It was not known at the time, but that promise would become the foundation stone of Legacy as we know it today,” Mr Papworth said.
“(It is) an inherited responsibility to care, give guidance and be responsible for families of those comrades who through death were no longer there to give those benefits themselves.
“Today, 100 years later, Legacy still has 3400 Legatees and still cares for more than 40,000 dependants.”
Mr Papworth said he lived in awe of those early Legatees who returned from years in the battle fields with their own demons to face, trying to fit back into normal life.
“(Legatees) made time to meet, raise funds and care not just for a widow but care for the welfare of each of the children of the many families.
“(They helped by) obtaining pensions, organising social events, camps, maintaining homes, even the firewood.
“All this to honour the ‘inherited responsibility’ to keep alive the legacy of their mates who never made it home.”
Mr Papworth said everyone had a different Legacy story and he shared some of those from people who were cared for by Legacy.
He said one beneficiary told him, “I was a pill of a kid, always in trouble, mainly with the law”.
“But there was always a Legatee there to stand up for me, followed with a swift kick in the pants and a lecture,” he said.
Another recipient of Legacy said he “never had holes in his socks” because “Legacy clothed his whole family”.
“They (the clothes) were not always new, but they were always good,” Mr Papworth said.
Another was given brand new tools to help him get started in a building career.
“Those tools were still his most prized possession for they enabled him to gain a skill, a trade, start a business and enjoy a good life.”
Mr Papworth said his favourite quote came from a widow in Launceston who said: “Legacy wraps you in a warm blanket of friendship and support.”
“It’s always there and always will be,” he said.
In closing before he began his leg of the relay, he said he would like to see that, “Legacy’s next celebration would be its last for that would mean our world leaders have come together as one and Legacy would finally fulfill the ultimate promise to ‘look after the missus and the kids’”.
Hamilton Legatee Anne Spake was one of the torch bearers sharing in the privilege of being in the relay on Monday.
Ms Sparke’s late father was a World War II returned servicemen but that wasn’t why she joined Legacy. She said she didn’t know anything about Legacy until she went along to a function one day.
“I thought what a great bunch they were,” Ms Sparke said.
“They were busy, they were helping, they were happy.
“It was just a really good vibe in the group.
“I didn’t know what they did in detail, but I just thought this was a group I would like to contribute to – to be a part of.”
Ms Sparke felt an affinity with Legacy because of her father’s service.
“Dad was in England and then later in New Guinea,” she said.
A cortege of police with flashing lights, ADF and event organiser vehicles safely escorted the torch bearers along the way.
Torch bearers were greeted enroute by Baimbridge College students who came out of their classes, numerous well-wishers from their homes, work colleagues and families who clapped and cheered as the torch passed by.
It took a little over an hour for relay to make its way down King Street, Mt Baimbridge Road, Coleraine Road to the Melville Oval Cenotaph, the Ted Kenna VC statue, along Brown, Gray, and Kennedy Streets to the Clarke Street Memorial, then McIntyre and Skene Streets, through the Hamilton Botanic Gardens, before finishing for the penultimate lighting of the Legacy cauldron and a reception at Hamilton (Gray Street) Primary School.
One of the support crew, Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander “Chuck” Connors from HMAS Cerberus rallied the primary school students to give the torch bearers the three loudest cheers they could possibly muster upon completion of the relay.
Legatee David Spring was the last of the torch bearers and had the honour of lighting the cauldron.
A commemorative torch was gifted to Kelly McNaughton who, as president, received it on behalf of Hamilton & District Legacy from Legacy Australia’s, Sarnia Birch
Ms McNaughton paid tribute to the extraordinary work undertaken by the iconic Australian charity.
“Today I stand before you … to share the story of an organisation that holds immense value to our community - the Hamilton & District Legacy,” she said.
“Legacy is an organisation that has been dedicated to supporting the families of deceased veterans for over a century.
“Its impact in our community cannot be overstated as it provides crucial support, advocacy, and a sense of belonging to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one who served our nation.
“Legacy’s value lies in its unwavering commitment and to supporting families during their most challenging times.”
Ms McNaughton said Legacy was active in our area today and provided a lifeline offering financial assistance to many widows and widowers.
She said that support goes beyond financial, and Legacy recognised that grief was a complex journey that required emotional healing and understanding.
“Volunteer legatees regularly check on widows’ welfare… and ensured they stay connected to their community,” she said.
“This emotional support is invaluable.
“Moreover, Legacy plays a vital role in advocating for the rights and welfare for widows and widowers of deceased veterans … ensuring their voices are heard by governments, agencies, and other relevant organisations.
“Our pensions’ officers help … navigate this world of bureaucracy … by securing resources and pensions … in order (for beneficiaries) to live the life they deserve.
“This strengthens our community as a whole.”
Ms McNaughton said, “today let us celebrate 100 years of Legacy’s existence … (and) ensure the sacrifices made by our veterans are never forgotten”.
In closing, Mayor David Robertson officially welcomed the Torch Relay to the Southern Grampians Shire and said it was a magnificent day to celebrate 100 years of Legacy, and, 75 years for Hamilton & District Legacy this year.
He said 35 years ago there were 400 families in the district being cared for by Hamilton & District Legacy.
“Today there are still around 87 families - 20 of those are down in the Portland area,” he said.
“Legatees create a sense of comradeship and make sure families feel connected to the community.
“Isolation is not good for anyone.
“Simple things like a chat or a laugh can make a big difference.”
He concurred with Mr Papworth that Legacy was like putting “a blanket around a family”.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” Mayor Robertson said.
“My father returned from Tobruk.
“So, I had a father to bring me up - but many of our local children, at the time, their father figure was a Legatee.
“Mentorship and guidance provided by Legatees helped positively shape the lives of those young people.”
Hamilton & District Legacy has 26 members, and is one of 44 active Legacy clubs across Australia, plus one in London.
Mayor Robertson encouraged the local community to learn more about what Legacy does, to help continue the good work of Legacy and consider becoming a volunteer Legatee.
Presented by Defence Health, the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay will conclude in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance on Friday, October 13.
