The
City of Greater Geelong will commemorate 100 years of Geelong Legacy, which
supports the families of those deceased or incapacitated while undertaking
military service.
The
concept of Legacy dates back to World War I, where an injured soldier asked
their fellow soldier to look after their family - today, this tradition lives
on following a number of conflicts which have seen involvement from Geelong
servicepeople.
The
second oldest Legacy group in Australia, Geelong Legacy marked its centenary
last week. Its volunteers support nearly 300 beneficiaries with a range of
supports, including safe social environments, everyday essentials and education
support for impacted children.
Geelong
Legacy currently has 45 active members from all walks of life, some with a
military background and others who have seen the positive impact of Legacy and
wanted to contribute.
To
formally commemorate the centenary, the City will host a special event and
presentation on 3 September at City Hall, where two Lone Pines have been
standing for 60 years in Johnstone Park.
The
event was timed to coincide with Legacy Week, which will run from Sunday 31
August to Saturday 6 September 2025.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The
aftermath of conflict touches us all, and the work that Geelong Legacy has done
over the past 100 years is an extremely significant milestone.
I look forward to this formal presentation during this year's Legacy Week, where
our city can thank all the Legatees for the work they do to support our
community.
Councillor Chris Burson
I
want to pay tribute to all of the volunteers who have chosen to give back
through Geelong Legacy.
The
reasons why people volunteer are diverse, some have experienced what it’s like
to be in the centre of conflict themselves, while others don’t have that direct
experience but simply understand the importance of supporting the families left
behind.