FOR almost 90 years Ararat Legacy has provided comfort and support to the region’s war widows and their families.
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Now, for the first time ever, local Legatees will have a modern, dedicated headquarters from which to continue their good work.
Last Wednesday, members and local dignitaries gathered in the converted store shed for the official opening of Legacy House.
Located on the grounds of AME Systems in Gordon Street, it was a milestone moment for the group, which first met in Ararat in 1929.
Legatee Russell Rachinger told the assembled guests that the Legacy movement was conceived in the aftermath of the First World War when 190,000 ex-servicemen returned from duty.
Initially, the group’s mission was to help ex-servicemen who were unemployed or physically impaired as a result of their wartime experience.
However, that soon shifted to fulfilling the dying wish of so many soldiers to “look after the missus and kids”.
Ararat Legacy was the 10th such club to be formed and today its 30 Legatees – drawn from Ararat, Avoca, Beaufort, Stawell and Willaura – still cares for 160 war widows.
Wannon MP and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said Legacy’s new home would allow it to have a presence in Ararat and across the district for many years to come.
“What an absolute honour it is to be here with you all today,” he said. “The great work that Legacy does I think goes beyond the call of duty.
“Especially when you think of what Legacy has done across the nation in serving our country and then their ability to come home and say ‘Our job is not done, we need to also serve those who have suffered huge loss as a result of being there to defend our country’.”
AME Systems board member and Legatee Peter Carthew, who served in Vietnam in the 1960s, said it was a proud day for the club.
“We thank all those who have contributed to realising the dream of having our own Legacy House – one that’s permanent,” he said.
Legatee Dianne Radford thanked the Carthew family, including Mr Carthew’s wife Lyn and son Nick, for their support with the project.