Legacy Commemoration Ceremony, The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
[E&OE]
I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation, and I pay my respects to the Elders past and present.
Today particularly, I acknowledge the service of Indigenous veterans over the last 100 years — those serving today and those who served in the past.
In the sense of acknowledgments, foremost today should be families and friends of veterans who Legacy serve. We acknowledge you and thank you for what you have given to our country.
A short time ago, I received the Legacy Torch at a stone engraved ‘We will remember them’.
Today, in its birthplace of 100 years ago, we honour an organisation that more than any has given truth to that statement.
An organisation that is quintessentially Australian.
An organisation whose people have big hearts and have faithfully honoured a promise to look after their mates.
Who are behind the knock on the door saying: ‘We care. We will look after you.’
Who selflessly give to repay the debt we owe as a nation to those who served in uniform.
Legacy.
An organisation that gives and keeps on giving.
As Patron of Legacy Australia, I, with Linda, feel most acutely the significance of today, for Legacy and for our nation.
Almost six months ago, on the 23rd April, the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay began with a ceremony at Pozières in France.
Today, the torch — some 50,000 kilometres later, through 100 locations, carried by 1500 Torch Bearers who have a connection to Legacy or the Defence community — completes its remarkable journey.
What a sight and an experience the relay has been.
A special time for Torch Bearers, their families and friends, and the wider community.
Linda and I had the great pleasure and privilege of participating in the relay in my hometown of Wollongong, south of Sydney, in July.
Walking on that day, thinking about the commitment first made in the aftermath of World War 1 to look after the families of those who fell in the service of our nation, and the impact of Legacy today — I found myself becoming emotional.
Why? Because of the memories of those I’ve known who have sacrificed in service of Australia.
Because of the life-saving impact Legacy has made for generations of Australian families.
And because I can't think of an organisation in Australia that speaks more of what our nation is about and who we are as Australians than Legacy.
Legacy epitomises the best of Australia.
It is true of the organisation, but it is especially true of the legatees.
Dedicated people who day in, day out, provide support, compassion and kindness.
For 100 years, Legacy has stood proudly as the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated solely to the care and support of our veterans’ families.
It was founded right here in Melbourne in 1923 by a small group of World War I veterans.
They made a promise to help the wives and children of their comrades who were killed in the Great War or who died subsequent to that war.
That promise, I think, goes to the core of who we are and who we aspire to be as Australians.
We are a people who care about one another and look out for each other.
We are a people who lend a hand, on the good days and bad days.
We are a people who support our veterans.
It is a richness of spirit that is manifest in Legacy.
I want to close by sharing a comment made to me by Luke, a veteran, at a function in honour of the Centenary of Legacy in Canberra in February.
Luke said to me that, post-service, he simply couldn’t function and be there for his family.
His words were: ‘That promise we talk about, looking after the wife and kids — that’s what Legacy is. Legacy is a family that keeps that promise alive.’
Congratulations Legacy on your first 100 years.
We often conclude speeches with the words lest we forget.
Legacy is the organisation that reminds us that lest we forever forget service from families and their sacrifice, we are the worse for it.
Legacy, thank you for your big heart and your gift to Australia.
[Ends]