August 31 continues Legacy Week.
Legacy is an Australian charity dedicated to supporting the families of Australian Defence Force members who have lost their lives or health during or after their service.
Legacy Week runs from yesterday and finishes September 5 and is its annual fundraising and awareness campaign, held nationally each September in the lead-up to Legacy Day and Father's Day.
It's a time to recognise not only the service and sacrifice of veterans, but also the partners, children and families whose lives have been forever changed by military service.
Legacy Australia was founded in 1923 by Sir Stanley Savige and a small group of returned servicemen in Melbourne, driven by what they had seen, and what they couldn’t ignore.
In the aftermath of the First World War, too many families were left to navigate life alone. Legacy began with a simple but powerful commitment they would never be left to face life’s challenges alone. Through a simple, yet powerful promise, to look after the “missus and the kids.”
What started as an act of mateship became a national movement. Communities across Australia stepped forward, united by a shared belief, that honouring service means caring for the families who carry its cost.
Originally known as the War Orphans Appeal, the campaign began after the Second World War as Legacy responded to the growing number of widows and children needing care and support. What started as a simple badge drive has grown into one of Australia's most recognised community fundraising traditions.
For more than 100 years, Legacy has provided practical and emotional support to veterans' families, helping them navigate life's challenges and build brighter futures.
The Purpose of Legacy Week
Legacy Week raises vital funds to ensure veterans' families continue receiving the practical, emotional and social support they need.
Every donation helps provide services that make a real difference, from education support for children and wellbeing programs to financial assistance, social connection and community activities for families and dependants.
Legacy Week is also an opportunity to recognise the families who serve alongside our veterans. It shines a light on the lasting impact of military service and reminds us that behind every veteran is a family whose sacrifice deserves to be seen, supported and remembered.
Our Work as a Charity
To ensure no dependant of someone who gave their life or health in service to our country ever faces financial or social disadvantage.
Because when service ends, the need for support often begins, and the difference we make together can last a lifetime.
Who Legacy Helps
We’re dedicated to supporting the families of veterans who have given so much in service to our country. Behind every act of service is a family, and we ensure those families are supported when facing the challenges that come with sacrifice.
Paying utility bills
Older Widows
Many of the people we support are older widows who lost their partner in conflicts prior to 1991. We have provided services and assistance to these members of our community for many years. Ensuring that our widows don’t face the ongoing impacts of their veteran’s service and can live full and connected lives despite their loss. We offer widows:
• Social connection experiences through groups, events and outings
• Assistance for ongoing home living
• Referral pathways to health and wellbeing care providers
• Relief from financial hardship
• Bi-monthly newsletters
Partners, Families and Children
The impact of a veteran’s service can be profound and traumatic for partners and families and can often last a lifetime. Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill works to ensure that partners and families are supported through the challenging transition and into a place of sustainable, post-traumatic growth.
We can assist partners, families and children with:
• Providing relief through financial hardship
• Advocating for entitlements and navigating referral pathways to important support services
• Assisting with children’s education, development and social connection
Professional Case Management and Peer Support
Legacy’s case management services are delivered by qualified social workers and mental health professionals within a trauma-informed environment.
Our team works alongside families to understand their circumstances and provide personalised support. This includes helping connect them with health services, community resources and practical assistance that can make everyday life easier.
Just as important is the support families find from one another. By bringing people together who share similar experiences, Legacy helps build understanding, strength and lasting connections.
Education and Development
Legacy has a long tradition of supporting the education and development of children and young people.
Through grants, scholarships and advocacy, we help ensure Legacy youth can access opportunities that support their learning, growth and future aspirations.
Fostering Connection
A strong sense of community has always been at the heart of Legacy.
We bring widows, widowers and partners, children and families together through clubs, events and social activities that help build friendships and reduce isolation.
For many older widows, a Legacy morning tea or lunch may be the highlight of the week, a chance to share stories, laughter and companionship. For those unable to attend, regular phone calls and visits from their Legatee or a Legacy social worker ensure they remain connected.
By creating opportunities for people to come together, Legacy helps ensure no one feels alone.
Pensions Advocacy
Understanding government entitlements can be complex, particularly during difficult times.
Legacy provides guidance and advocacy to help beneficiaries navigate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs system and access the support they are entitled to.
Our Veteran Community Services team works closely with families to provide clear advice and practical assistance throughout the claims process, helping ensure they receive the benefits and support they deserve.
Financial Guidance
Legacy works with trusted partners to help families build confidence in managing their finances.
Through financial counselling and tailored support, families are provided with practical tools and guidance to help them manage their finances and plan for the future.
By strengthening financial knowledge and stability, Legacy helps families feel more secure as they move forward.
Legatee Support
At the heart of Legacy are our dedicated volunteer Legatees.
These volunteers provide personal, one-to-one support and companionship to families of veterans, building relationships based on trust, care and understanding.
Working alongside Legacy’s professional staff, Legatees help ensure every family feels supported and connected. Their commitment reflects the very spirit of Legacy, that no family of a veteran should ever have to face life’s challenges alone.
The Legacy Advocacy
As the only ex-service organisation dedicated solely to supporting the families of veterans, we are committed to not only assisting but amplifying the voices and experiences of this often overlooked and underrepresented cohort.
From individual advocacy to systemic advocacy, we work to ensure the voices of the families of veterans are heard when it comes to improving and reforming the service sector.
Legatees
Legatees are the heart and soul of Legacy.
These dedicated volunteers are the backbone of Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill, helping deliver the care and support our families rely on. With compassion, commitment and a strong sense of service, Legatees stand beside the families of veterans, offering practical help, guidance and friendship when it’s needed most.
Through regular visits, phone calls and community activities, Legatees help ensure families remain connected and supported. They build trusted relationships, help families access the assistance they’re entitled to, and create opportunities for meaningful social connection.
Working alongside Legacy’s professional staff, Legatees help uphold our promise: to honour the service of veterans by caring for the families they leave behind.
Their generosity and dedication make a real and lasting difference, helping families feel supported, connected and part of a caring community.
Help Legacy if you can, this week and every week.
Legacy is an Australian charity dedicated to supporting the families of Australian Defence Force members who have lost their lives or health during or after their service.
Legacy Week runs from yesterday and finishes September 5 and is its annual fundraising and awareness campaign, held nationally each September in the lead-up to Legacy Day and Father's Day.
It's a time to recognise not only the service and sacrifice of veterans, but also the partners, children and families whose lives have been forever changed by military service.
Legacy Australia was founded in 1923 by Sir Stanley Savige and a small group of returned servicemen in Melbourne, driven by what they had seen, and what they couldn’t ignore.
In the aftermath of the First World War, too many families were left to navigate life alone. Legacy began with a simple but powerful commitment they would never be left to face life’s challenges alone. Through a simple, yet powerful promise, to look after the “missus and the kids.”
What started as an act of mateship became a national movement. Communities across Australia stepped forward, united by a shared belief, that honouring service means caring for the families who carry its cost.
Originally known as the War Orphans Appeal, the campaign began after the Second World War as Legacy responded to the growing number of widows and children needing care and support. What started as a simple badge drive has grown into one of Australia's most recognised community fundraising traditions.
For more than 100 years, Legacy has provided practical and emotional support to veterans' families, helping them navigate life's challenges and build brighter futures.
The Purpose of Legacy Week
Legacy Week raises vital funds to ensure veterans' families continue receiving the practical, emotional and social support they need.
Every donation helps provide services that make a real difference, from education support for children and wellbeing programs to financial assistance, social connection and community activities for families and dependants.
Legacy Week is also an opportunity to recognise the families who serve alongside our veterans. It shines a light on the lasting impact of military service and reminds us that behind every veteran is a family whose sacrifice deserves to be seen, supported and remembered.
Our Work as a Charity
To ensure no dependant of someone who gave their life or health in service to our country ever faces financial or social disadvantage.
Because when service ends, the need for support often begins, and the difference we make together can last a lifetime.
Who Legacy Helps
We’re dedicated to supporting the families of veterans who have given so much in service to our country. Behind every act of service is a family, and we ensure those families are supported when facing the challenges that come with sacrifice.
Paying utility bills
- Rental costs for emergency accommodation
- Meeting school costs
- Help around the house
- Assistance with DVA paperwork
- Mental health support
- Help with sports team fees for the kids
- Paying for driving lessons
Older Widows
Many of the people we support are older widows who lost their partner in conflicts prior to 1991. We have provided services and assistance to these members of our community for many years. Ensuring that our widows don’t face the ongoing impacts of their veteran’s service and can live full and connected lives despite their loss. We offer widows:
• Social connection experiences through groups, events and outings
• Assistance for ongoing home living
• Referral pathways to health and wellbeing care providers
• Relief from financial hardship
• Bi-monthly newsletters
Partners, Families and Children
The impact of a veteran’s service can be profound and traumatic for partners and families and can often last a lifetime. Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill works to ensure that partners and families are supported through the challenging transition and into a place of sustainable, post-traumatic growth.
We can assist partners, families and children with:
• Providing relief through financial hardship
• Advocating for entitlements and navigating referral pathways to important support services
• Assisting with children’s education, development and social connection
Professional Case Management and Peer Support
Legacy’s case management services are delivered by qualified social workers and mental health professionals within a trauma-informed environment.
Our team works alongside families to understand their circumstances and provide personalised support. This includes helping connect them with health services, community resources and practical assistance that can make everyday life easier.
Just as important is the support families find from one another. By bringing people together who share similar experiences, Legacy helps build understanding, strength and lasting connections.
Education and Development
Legacy has a long tradition of supporting the education and development of children and young people.
Through grants, scholarships and advocacy, we help ensure Legacy youth can access opportunities that support their learning, growth and future aspirations.
Fostering Connection
A strong sense of community has always been at the heart of Legacy.
We bring widows, widowers and partners, children and families together through clubs, events and social activities that help build friendships and reduce isolation.
For many older widows, a Legacy morning tea or lunch may be the highlight of the week, a chance to share stories, laughter and companionship. For those unable to attend, regular phone calls and visits from their Legatee or a Legacy social worker ensure they remain connected.
By creating opportunities for people to come together, Legacy helps ensure no one feels alone.
Pensions Advocacy
Understanding government entitlements can be complex, particularly during difficult times.
Legacy provides guidance and advocacy to help beneficiaries navigate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs system and access the support they are entitled to.
Our Veteran Community Services team works closely with families to provide clear advice and practical assistance throughout the claims process, helping ensure they receive the benefits and support they deserve.
Financial Guidance
Legacy works with trusted partners to help families build confidence in managing their finances.
Through financial counselling and tailored support, families are provided with practical tools and guidance to help them manage their finances and plan for the future.
By strengthening financial knowledge and stability, Legacy helps families feel more secure as they move forward.
Legatee Support
At the heart of Legacy are our dedicated volunteer Legatees.
These volunteers provide personal, one-to-one support and companionship to families of veterans, building relationships based on trust, care and understanding.
Working alongside Legacy’s professional staff, Legatees help ensure every family feels supported and connected. Their commitment reflects the very spirit of Legacy, that no family of a veteran should ever have to face life’s challenges alone.
The Legacy Advocacy
As the only ex-service organisation dedicated solely to supporting the families of veterans, we are committed to not only assisting but amplifying the voices and experiences of this often overlooked and underrepresented cohort.
From individual advocacy to systemic advocacy, we work to ensure the voices of the families of veterans are heard when it comes to improving and reforming the service sector.
Legatees
Legatees are the heart and soul of Legacy.
These dedicated volunteers are the backbone of Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill, helping deliver the care and support our families rely on. With compassion, commitment and a strong sense of service, Legatees stand beside the families of veterans, offering practical help, guidance and friendship when it’s needed most.
Through regular visits, phone calls and community activities, Legatees help ensure families remain connected and supported. They build trusted relationships, help families access the assistance they’re entitled to, and create opportunities for meaningful social connection.
Working alongside Legacy’s professional staff, Legatees help uphold our promise: to honour the service of veterans by caring for the families they leave behind.
Their generosity and dedication make a real and lasting difference, helping families feel supported, connected and part of a caring community.
Help Legacy if you can, this week and every week.
