LEGACY – CARING FOR THE FAMILIES OF VETERANS
 

 

 

Guest Speaker: Ross McArthur Legacy Geraldton

Legacy Golf Day – A Longstanding Partnership The annual Legacy Golf Day, held on Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April 2026, at the Geraldton Golf Club, is a highlight of the Geraldton calendar. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton and Geraldton Golf Club, this event has raised over $200,000 for Legacy since it began in 1989.

 

Legacy began in 1923, born from a solemn promise made on the battlefields of the First World War. As the story goes, a seriously wounded soldier said to his mate, “Look after the wife and kids.” That simple request became known as The Promise – the foundation of Legacy.

 

Importantly, Legacy receives no government funding. All monies are raised through community efforts, including Legacy Badge Day, the sale of Legacy Christmas puddings, and generous donations from organisations and individuals who fundraise on its behalf.

 

What makes Legacy truly unique is that it is the only organisation in the world dedicated exclusively to caring for the families of veterans. Today, there are 45 Legacy clubs across Australia, all working tirelessly to support those left behind.

 

The charter of Legacy is clear: to provide service, aid, and guidance to the spouses and children of veterans. This includes financial assistance for school fees, uniforms, book lists, and extracurricular activities (up to the age of 25), help with house maintenance, and advocacy to secure the War Widows Pension – including the valuable Gold Card, which covers the majority of medical and dental expenses through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

 

Legacy’s definition of beneficiaries continues to evolve with changes in legislation. Support now extends to the families of veterans who may have had only one day of enlistment and no operational service. In recent years, with fewer large-scale conflicts, the focus has broadened beyond traditional war widows to include families of serving or discharged veterans experiencing mental trauma, as well as those facing domestic violence, separation, or other hardships.

 

In Perth alone, Legacy currently supports approximately 75 families. In the Geraldton region, which stretches from Kalbarri to Three Springs, there are over 50 beneficiaries (widows) and 4 school-aged children (ranging from 5 to 12 years). Legacy assists these families with education costs, and children are invited to attend a special 10-day camp at Busselton each January, with travel fully funded by Legacy.

With around 60,000 veterans who served in Vietnam and a projected 15,000 widows by 2030, plus 72,000 who served in Iraq and Afghanistan (more than the combined numbers from Vietnam and Korea), the need for Legacy’s support remains strong and will continue for many years to come. It is anticipated that Legacy will be required for at least another 70 to 80 years.

 

Importantly, Legacy receives no government funding. All monies are raised through community efforts, including Legacy Badge Day, the sale of Legacy Christmas puddings, and generous donations from organisations and individuals who fundraise on its behalf.

 

Recruitment and the Future Legacy Geraldton currently has only eight members. A question often asked is: How does Legacy recruit new members? We welcome enquiries from anyone who shares our commitment to supporting veterans’ families.

Legacy remains committed to its founding promise – caring for the widows, widowers, and children of those who have served our nation. Through community partnerships like the one with Geraldton Rotary, we can ensure that The Promise continues to be honoured for generations to come.

For more information or to offer support, please contact Ross McArthur or your local Legacy club.