A legacy worth protecting

FOR 100 years, Geelong Legacy has supported the families of deceased and incapacitated ex-service men and women in our community.

Its volunteers have dedicated themselves to supporting families to live rich and meaningful lives by creating safe social environments, supplying everyday essentials and providing education support for impacted children.

As a former Army Combat Engineer, I deeply appreciate the dedication that ‘legatees’ have in supporting the livelihood and wellbeing of those whose family members have defended our country.

Additionally, as Council’s chair for Veteran Affairs, I acknowledge that Geelong’s Legacy chapter has a long and storied history of supporting its beneficiaries when times have been tough, and long after a combat has ended.

For a century, Legacy’s mission has remained the same and volunteers have adjusted operations to meet the changing needs of its beneficiaries.

Today, Geelong Legacy has 45 active members, a combination of ex-service men and women, as well as civilians. Many have been inspired to volunteer after witnessing firsthand the positive impact that Legacy can have on a family.

Geelong Legacy supports families across City of Greater Geelong, Queenscliff, Surf Coast and Golden Plains Shire, with an impressive 295 beneficiaries currently on the books.

Around 30 of these beneficiaries are centenarians themselves, which just goes to show how far Legacy goes in supporting impacted families for life.

When a family member is injured or lost in conflict, these events have impacts that will change their family’s lives forever, and Legacy pledges to support for a lifetime.

Geelong’s chapter is the second oldest Legacy group in Australia and this tremendous milestone could not have been reached without the tireless dedication of their volunteers who have carried the torch for this mission over the decades.

The first week of September is Legacy Week, and to celebrate the Geelong group will host its centenary event at City Hall on September 3, supported by the City of Greater Geelong.

City Hall is a place of great significance for Geelong Legacy; it’s the site of two Lone Pine trees, planted in 1965 by then Legacy president and mayor Ron Fidge.

The Lone Pine was a striking landmark on the hillside of Gallipoli, and following the conflict in WWI, a digger took a branch with cones from the pine upon his return to Melbourne.

His family germinated those seeds which grew into trees, now planted from Melbourne through to Warrnambool.

In the 60 years since Geelong’s first two Lone Pine plantings at Johnstone Park, our region has managed to plant over 30 Lone Pine descendants, with the strand of trees found in Geelong Botanic Gardens, Bellarine Rail Trail, schools and other community areas.

It is difficult to germinate these trees, however Legacy has managed to produce another Lone Pine in its hundredth year – perfect timing for the anniversary!

The group is still determining where the tree will be planted alongside a commemorative plaque to acknowledge this significant milestone.

Future generations will look to this pine and remember the sacrifices made by our defence forces, as well as the dedication of the legatees who are supporting veterans’ families to live fulfilled and prosperous lives.

Cr Chris Burson

You Yangs Ward,

City of Greater Geelong