FAQs
Legacy is an iconic Australian charity that was established in 1923 and founded on a promise made from one digger to another – to “look after the missus and the kids.”
Legacy cares for 40,000 veterans’ families, including Widows in their senior years, younger Widows with children, and veterans’ dependents with a disability. With over 3400 volunteers, Legacy strives to ensure that those in their care can fully realise their potential.
Legacy helps provide financial and social support for the families in their care and supports families in times of hardship and grief. Legacy helps those they serve to meet their educational and developmental goals, and to help them grow and thrive despite adversity.
Legacy provides support for veterans’ families for those who have died or given their health due to defence service. This includes partners and children.
Legacy volunteers are referred to as ‘Legatees’, and are the primary contact for the people who Legacy assists.
Originally, Legatees were drawn exclusively from the ranks of retired service personnel, but in the early 2000s, admission was opened to all who share Legacy’s ideals.
Legatees are the backbone of our organisation, and with over 3400 committed volunteers across Australia, Legacy are grateful for the support they provide to our veterans’ families.
Interested in becoming a Legatee? You can apply here.
There are 44 Legacy Clubs in Australia and one in London. These Clubs provide specific services in their community, and help keep the promise to those we serve, no matter where they are in Australia.
You can find your nearest Legacy Club here – you may be surprised, there could be one around the corner from you!
Legacy has special criteria that makes an individual or a family eligible for help. In some cases, Legacy may contact you first.
The best way to find out is to contact your local Legacy Club. They will be the ones helping you and your family in the long run. To find your nearest Club, click here.
Applying to volunteer is simple and will go a long way in helping your community. You can either fill out a form online here, call 1800 LEGACY (534 229) to speak to your local Club, or even pop in to your nearest Club – guests are always welcome!
Not sure where your local Legacy Club is? Click here to find out!
Legacy needs the support from communities to continue our work and help keep the promise to our veterans’ families.
Donating is simple and can be done in a variety of ways! Any donation (big or small) can be done as an individual, organisation or through a Workplace Giving program – even the purchase of Legacy merchandise like pins or bears go towards helping Clubs transform the lives for those in their care.
Fundraising is a great way to donate too! Whether it be a morning tea with friends, a fun run, walking the Kokoda Track, or just about any challenge or special occasion you can think of, you can build your own supporter webpage and raise funds for Legacy. You can do this using a platform like GoFundraise, or even on social media through Facebook Donate.
In most cases, your donated funds and merchandise purchases go straight to your local Club! This includes online fundraisers using third party platforms like Facebook or GoFundraise – funds are allocated as per your postcode. If there isn’t a postcode supplied, we try and contact you to confirm – if not, funds go to Legacy Australia for all Clubs to benefit nationally.
Generously donated funds can be used in a variety of ways – anything that your Club feels would benefit those in their care. For example, funds could be used to provide child care assistance to a widow so she can continue to work, help with school fees or social activities like gymnastics classes for a Junior Legatee, or provide meals for kids at Legacy Youth Camps help annually around the country.
No. legacy.com.au is for an Australian charity that provides assistance to 40,000 veterans’ families – including Widows in their senior years, younger Widows with children, and veterans’ dependents with a disability.
Legacy.com is a global online obituary service. Legacy Clubs do not have an association with this site.
A bequest – or a Gift in Wills – is a lasting legacy in the form of a donation to a chosen charity.
Including a bequest to Legacy helps continue our work in helping veterans’ families and children carry on after a death of a loved one, or provide support and access to services for those who return from service.
You can leave a bequest to Legacy Australia which benefits Clubs nationally, or you can choose a specific Legacy Club that you live near or that is close to your heart. To find out more about Bequests, click here.
Legacy can provide financial support to those who are eligible, but assistance may also be sought from
- National Debt Hotline: 1800 007 007
- Salvation Army Australia financial assistance: Salvos Connect 1300 371 288
- Money Smart: offers tips, tools and guidance to help take control of your money to build a better life
- Centrelink: a crisis payment may be available
If life is in danger, call 000 immediately.
- Lifeline: 131 114 (24 hour)
- Open Arms: 1800 011 046 (24 hour)
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 (24 hour)
- Salvos Connect: 1300 371 288 (9-5, Monday to Friday)
- Domestic Violence Services: 1800 RESPECT / 1800 737 732 (24 hour)
There are multiple organisations that work to help those who have served our country.
Charities like the RSL, Soldier On, Open Arms and Mates4Mates work to provide support for Australian veterans, and provide resources to help combat financial, social or emotional hardship.