Historic expansion of Legacy services

A message from Legacy Australia

L to R: Commodore Damien Scully-O’Shea CSM (RAN); Air Commodore Jules Adams (RAAF); Major General Michelle Campbell (Army); Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN; Minister Matt Keogh; Mrs Georgia Hill and Legacy Chair Dr Mark Lax at the official announcement at the Australian War Memorial.
L to R: Commodore Damien Scully-O’Shea CSM (RAN); Air Commodore Jules Adams (RAAF); Major General Michelle Campbell (Army); Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN; Minister Matt Keogh; Mrs Georgia Hill and Legacy Chair Dr Mark Lax at the official announcement at the Australian War Memorial.

 

Legacy has launched the most signif­icant change in its history, expanding support to more families of veterans. 

For over 100 years, Legacy has sup­ported the families of veterans who could no longer provide for their loved ones due to service-related death, injury or illness, or who have later died. 

From now on, the requirement for a veteran to have completed a period of operational service has been removed. This major eligibility change is in direct response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide on the far-reaching impacts of military life. 

Legacy will now support families of former permanent ADF members and Reservists who have served on con­tinuous full-time duty, irrespective of the nature of their service, allowing thousands more to be welcomed into Legacy’s care. 

‘Service has many impacts, not just through death or injury,’ said Dr Mark Lax, Chair of Legacy Australia. ‘Fami­lies carry the weight of service in ways that aren’t always visible. Broadening eligibility to services and support clearly shows we are responding to the wider spectrum of challenges they face. 

‘Our dedicated volunteers, often drawn from the veteran and wider community, currently support more than 28,000 people and have been nothing short of phenomenal, offer­ing personalised mentorship and a sense of belonging that has trans­formed countless lives.’

This expansion builds on the promise made on the battlefields of the First World War, when soldiers pledged to care for each other’s families. Since then, Legacy has supported hundreds of thousands of people, from those who lost partners in war, to the children of those veterans who were injured or killed during peace-time service for Australia. 

Legacy delivers exceptional care through emergency financial relief, education scholarships, advo­cacy to secure entitlements, social programs and lifelong support for children with disabilities. 

‘This natural evolution extends Legacy’s proven impact to even more families who need it,’ said Dr Lax. ‘Many older partners of peacetime veterans will have the opportunity to foster a new community through local club activities such as social outings, morning teas and attending memorial events, helping combat isolation while building identity and belonging. 

‘Legacy’s services are now also available to families of current serv­ing veterans who are in the process of transitioning out of Defence due to no longer being medically fit for service and are unable to care for their families themselves. ADF members are crucial in spreading the word through their networks so more families realise they now qual­ify and can reach out for support.’ 

The expansion strengthens Leg­acy’s unique position in Australia, ensuring no veteran family is disad­vantaged because of their military service. For more information or to check eligibility contact your near­est Legacy club or visit www.legacy.com.au.