Legacy in Ipswich is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a fundraising breakfast at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre on Friday, September 13- so please support Legacy, which supports families of the Servicemen and Servicewomen.
History records that World War II signalled a turbulent time for Australia. For the returned soldiers and their families, life was characterised by unemployment, hardship and want and they needed support. It was in this climate that the Legacy organisation was born, being officially established in Melbourne in 1923. The organisation soon spread throughout the nation with clubs springing up in cities and towns across the country.
Legacy is important to Australians. It is a unique organisation, devoted solely to helping the dependants of deceased and injured service men and women who have sacrificed so much for this nation.
90 years ago, on the 25th June 1929, the foundation meeting of Ipswich Legacy was held in Nixon’s café on Brisbane Street.
Ipswich Legacy was the 13th club to form in Australia with the impetus coming from a former Ballarat legatee, a bank manager who had been transferred to Ipswich. Mark Lyons, author of “Legacy the first 50 years” ascertained that all foundation members of Ipswich Legacy worked in the city. Three were clergyman, a couple of clerks in the railways and in Cribb and Foote.
Today, Ipswich is still keeping the promise made on the battle fields of the Western Front by a dying Aussie digger when he asked his mate to ‘look after the missus and the kids’. The spirit of Legacy is “Service” and while over the past 90 years the services and support programs Ipswich Legacy provides has changed, its promise made those nine decades ago, has not.
Legacy services are funded by the generosity of the Ipswich and the surrounding community. Legacy receives no government assistance or funding to conduct its activities. As part of its obligation of its support for the dependents of the fallen, Ipswich Legacy funds various support networks for the children such as helping with education costs, educational activities, and extra-curricular activities such as youth camps.
Ipswich Legacy is marking this mile stone in its history by holding a 90th Anniversary Fundraising Breakfast with guest speaker Kurt Fearnley A.O. on Friday 13 September 2019 at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre.
Kurt Fearnley AO is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist with a can-do attitude that makes the impossible possible. At the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, he won gold and silver medals and was chosen as Australian Flag Bearer for the Closing Ceremony. Kurt’s determination and never-say-die attitude have rewarded him with the highest accolades in disability sport.
Kurt is also active in advocacy work. He has been an ambassador for the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, was a 2010 International Day of People with Disability Ambassador and has contributed to the debate surrounding funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
In June 2018, Kurt Fearnley was given the Honour of being named an Officer of the Order of Australia. A gifted keynote speaker, Kurt’s infectious energy and passion for life inspires and motivates audiences across age groups.
Early Bird Tickets for this important event can be purchased through www.trybooking.com at $80 per person or a table of 10 for $800 up until 5pm on the 9th August. After this date the price rises to $100 per ticket or a $1,000 per table of ten. For more information contact Ipswich Legacy on 3281 9419.
