Melbourne Legacy

As we approach Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the Shrine of Remembrance’s 90th anniversary.

We’ll also reflect on the deep connection between Melbourne Legacy and this iconic Melbourne landmark. From its earliest days, Melbourne Legacy played a pivotal role in shaping the Shrine’s creation, with Legatees like Frank Doolan (who made meticulous calculations to implement the ray of light) helping guide its design and advocating for the powerful symbol it stands as today.

300,000 people gathered (pictured) to witness its opening on November 11, 1924.

💪 There’s just one more day to join the Legacy Challenge and mark the days leading up to Remembrance Day by getting fit, raising money, and supporting the families of our veterans!

🎖️ Based on the military Basic Fitness Assessment, from November 1 – 11, challengers are encouraged to perform sit-ups, push-ups and a run/walk like the new recruits in the Defence Force.

🚲 Some others, like Bradley Round (pictured) are choosing an even bigger endurance challenge to raise money for Legacy. Brad is cycling over 1200 kms and playing 234 holes of golf with a fundraising target of $10,000 set.

Register for the Legacy Challenge today and follow along with Brad’s efforts at the links in our bio!

Last week was , and we celebrated not just the health and resilience of veterans, but also the incredible support and resilience of their loved ones - partners, children and caregivers - who stand by them through every challenge.

Melbourne Legacy is here to support the families of our veterans, so they too have the tools and resources they need to thrive and live a healthy, sustainable life.

Pictured is one of our Legacy families, the Mackenzies, who were supported by Melbourne Legacy after their husband, father and veteran Darren, was impacted significantly due to his service. We're here to ensure families like the Mackenzies don't have to navigate these challenges alone.

Darren says, "Legacy has reminded me that my health and wellbeing, as a veteran, also includes that of those closest to me."

'Be our guest 🌹'... was what we said to our lovely group of Melbourne Legacy adults with a disability for their Theatre Day last week. The group attended a matinee performance of Beauty & The Beast at the Regent Theatre and were all completely enraptured by the spectacular performance.

Jenny, support worker for the lovely Linda and pictured here with Linda and Lorraine, said that it was an amazing opportunity for the group to get together and experience something so visually stunning: "They absolutely loved it, Linda particularly always loves the social elements but Lorraine was glued to the performance from start to finish."

Staff at the theatre were extremely generous, "with the added bonus of giving Linda and Lorraine the ice cream they were both so looking forward to!"

"I can't speak highly enough of the difference that Legacy has made to Linda." These days are so important for the people we support to build lifelong connections and community with others that have been impacted by a veteran's service.

Thank you to SCS Group Integrated Services who sponsored this special day.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we acknowledge the mental health journeys of veteran families. At Melbourne Legacy, we recognise that the sacrifices made by veterans extend beyond the battlefield, impacting their loved ones in deep and lasting ways.

For many families of veterans, the emotional toll of supporting a veteran can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re committed to providing support and services tailored to their unique needs, ensuring they never feel alone on this journey.

We are here to listen, support, and guide our families through every challenge, whether it's accessing mental health supports, referrals to specialist services, peer support, or simply providing a safe space to talk.

🗣️ While we don't provide direct counselling or crisis support - you can reach out to the following services if your are in need:
• Open Arms – 1800 011 046, openarms.gov.au
• Lifeline - 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636, webchat beyondblue.org.au
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800, kidshelpline.com.au

And if you are in crisis, always call 000.

Today, we invite you to reflect on the importance of looking after your mental health—whether you’re a veteran, family member, or someone looking to support the families of those who have served. Let’s break the stigma and ensure every voice is heard and every person is cared for.

Before became SEA LIFE Melbourne's shining star, Melbourne Legacy hosted a very special family day at the aquarium. 🐠

These days provide the opportunity for families to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges and aims to develop a supportive, sustainable community amongst our veteran families.

👉👉 Swipe to see our Community Services & Programs team legends who helped make this day happen. This event was also proudly supported by our sponsors, SCS Group Integrated Services.

This week, we welcomed a group of our amazing Legatees to celebrate 101 years of Legacy at our Foundation Day Comradeship Luncheon at Legacy House.

Legatee Graeme Plumridge, a Past President of Melbourne Legacy, delivered the Foundation Day address. This year's speech focused on the remarkable story of Melbourne's beloved Shrine of Remembrance and Legacy's historical link to the monument that almost didn't happen.

*This post includes discussion of mental health crises and su***de which may be distressing to some readers*

Last week, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de released its final report and recommendations. Melbourne Legacy's Media Release details our support of the findings and recommendations, along with our commitment to supporting the families of veterans.

Melbourne Legacy is frequently faced with the impacts that a veteran's mental health has on the families we support. We are dedicated to continuing in our mission to ensure that the families of veterans receive the ongoing care and support they deserve.

If you find yourself in need of support or someone to talk to, the following services also exist:

• Open Arms – 1800 011 046
• Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

In an emergency, always contact 000

Jonathan Mackay recently rode almost 400km around the East Macdonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, to raise money for Melbourne Legacy as part of the inaugural Shimano Gravel Muster. Jonathan raised an impressive $5500 for the legatees of Melbourne Legacy.

Temperatures stayed around 40 degrees, with tough head winds and many kilometers of solo riding. Jonathan says, ‘it was a massive challenge for me, I had many moments of wanting to give up. But I kept going for the people the money was going towards’.

We're immensely grateful for Jonathan's incredible support and want to congratulate him on this amazing achievement!

Looking for ways to support this Legacy Week?

🎖 Join the Legacy Challenge. 🎖

Join the new military-style fitness test and push your limits to raise funds for Australian veterans’ families. Complete the daily exercise challenges from 1 November to Remembrance Day and encourage your loved ones to cheer you on with a donation.

Visit the challenge home page to find out more: https://www.legacychallenge.com.au/

🎖 Buy a badge 🎖

Every purchase will go towards Legacy’s support for families who have sacrificed a loved one to service, including mental and trauma care, financial assistance to cover costs including the kids’ education, and social group sessions or family camps to build a sense of community and connection.

Keep an eye out for our Legatees throughout the Melbourne CBD, and in Bunnings stores across the city, and help us Keep the Promise to every veteran that we’ll take good care of their family.

https://www.legacy.com.au/legacy-week/

**Please note: the content below includes discussion of mental health crises and su***de which may be distressing for some readers.**

Eight years ago, Kosha lost her husband to su***de.

“Nathan was a big, strong character. Footy player. Soldier, then Firefighter. A man’s man. He was physically big with a big personality to match.

For the longest time, he kept his depression and anxiety under control and hidden.

Then something triggered a really dark cloud in him a year or so before we lost him.”

With support from Melbourne Legacy, Kosha was able to give her children what they needed to begin processing, and eventually, healing, by connecting with a community of people who had experienced similar grief.

I want to thank those people that made that moment possible. Please know that families like mine never take your support for Legacy for granted.”

You can read more about Kosha and her family's story here: https://www.legacy.com.au/how-we-help/our-impact/stories/kosha-lila-ari/

This week, we remember what it means to Keep the Promise made to our veterans.

We’ll look after the loved ones left behind by their sacrifice.

Melbourne Legacy’s services do just that, reaching more than 4,700 beneficiaries with everything from mental health counselling to financial assistance for the kids’ education, all while providing a valuable sense of community with others who understand.

We are committed to providing the holistic support necessary for their future well-being.

Join us in honouring their sacrifice this Legacy Week at https://www.legacy.com.au/legacy-week/.

This morning, Legacy Melbourne was delighted to welcome a group of enthusiastic and dedicated RAAF Williams members from the Point Cook base who put their hand up to hit the streets of Melbourne's CBD to raise awareness this .

This week is Legacy Week (2–9 September), an annual community campaign raising awareness and funds for all the ways we support veterans’ families.

ADF personnel are out collecting donations and selling badges in the Melbourne CBD throughout the week.

Badges will also be available at selected Bunnings stores. Look out for our Legatees at Moorabbin and Mentone across the weekend.

You can also make a donation at https://www.legacy.com.au/donate/

Every contribution supports the families of veterans who have sacrificed their lives or health.

The Melbourne Legacy team enjoyed a visit to to kick off Legacy Week early. Thanks for the support Minister Suleyman and team!

Legacy Friends celebrating Christmas in July 🎅❄️❤️💙
Beneficiaries were invited to Legacy House for a creative art workshop facilitated by the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) and a delicious Christmas lunch. Legacy House was decked out for the occasion with all the usual's and the best part the Christmas crackers. The artwork theme was 'Christmas Winter Wonderland' which was to be created using supplies such as Christmas baubles, pinecones, and ribbon. This saw everyone getting crafty, creating decorations they could use on their trees at the end of the year.
It was a great day and we loved celebrating Christmas in July with some of our Legacy Family.

Open House Melbourne is a city-wide weekend where select public buildings are open to the general public. Usually, they are buildings with special architectural qualities or cultural significance. Melbourne Legacy has been selected to be part of the weekend.

As such Legacy House will be open to visitors on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July from 10am-2pm each day. The theme this year is Re/Discover Your City. We hope that visitors will discover Legacy and gain an understanding of the work we do and how our building in 293 Swanston St has been pivotal in serving the needs of the Legacy community.

The building at 289-299 Swanston Street was built in 1909 and was designed by renowned Melbourne architect Nahum Barnet. During the Second World War it was known as Red Cross House. And it was briefly owned by the Federal Government in 1950s and was where the Victorian and Tasmanian census results were collated.

Legacy acquired the property in 1956 using funds that were generously donated by an anonymous American donor. The donor had collected royalties from aircraft parts manufacturing in Australia during WW2. He wanted to leave behind a permanent memorial to the US soldiers that had served here. On learning about Legacy’s work for the families of deceased servicemen he left the money to Legacy to further their work with veterans families.

Address: 293 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Time: Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July, 10am-2pm

Jonathan's 'Ride for Melbourne Legacy' is a 380km bike ride over 4 days in late August. The funds raised will go toward Melbourne Legacy's mission to support the families of veterans.

To donate toward Jonathan, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ride-for-legacy-australia?member=34016863&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Melbourne Legacy President and CEO catch up with our Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman MP, to thank her for the Governments ongoing support – watch this space as we approach Legacy Week!

The team at Melbourne Legacy wishes you all and happy and safe long weekend! We will be back open on Tuesday 11th of June! 👑

Over the past few months, Melbourne Legacy has invited ex-service organisation industry experts to speak to members of staff about their particular area of work and interest. Melbourne Legacy works with several ESO’s to ensure that families get the best support possible.

Last Thursday, Elfin, Director of Health and Wellbeing from Soldier On (who we share an office space with!), came and educated both our Fundraising and Community Services teams about their current funding models and methods of practice.

Learning from Elfin about Soldier On’s evidence-based approaches to their practice helps Melbourne Legacy understand which families can be referred to Soldier On for the help they deserve, ensuring their individualised needs are met. Melbourne Legacy strives for the best possible outcomes for our veterans’ families. It is so important that we are well connected with other ex-service organisations so we can provide the best places of referral to families that need support.

Thank you so much, Elfin!

Today, May 31st, staff from Melbourne Legacy attended a wreath laying service at the Shrine of Remembrance to honor the significant contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people have made, and continue to make, in the Australian Defence Force. For many years the service of Aboriginal service men and women had not been adequately recognised and commemorated.

We thank the late Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters who changed this and initiated the honouring of Aboriginal service-people in Victoria. In 2007, the first Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service was held at the shrine of Remembrance. This service is now an annual Victorian event held during Reconciliation week, which spans from May 27 – June 3.