Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 came to Lismore to commemorate 100 years of Legacy | Lismore City News

The Legacy Torch burned brightly in Lismore last week, a reminder of a promise made by diggers during World War I to always look after the families of the fallen.

In the trenches of the Western Front, a soldier said to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and kids” – this became known as The Promise which formed the foundation of Legacy 100 years ago.

To mark the centenary, the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 came to Lismore, Casino and Ballina as part of a six-month satellite relay event presented by Defence Health.

The torch began its journey at Pozieres in France, and will travel more than 50,000 kilometres through 100 locations, carried by approximately 1500 Torch Bearers who have a connection to Legacy or the Defence Community.

Six torch bearers carried the torch through Lismore on Friday, starting at the Totem Forest and ending at the Lismore Memorial Baths.

Kayleen Cooper began the relay, and passed the torch to fellow legatees Elizabeth Duncan, Rod Clavan, Ruth Campbell, Shirley Cochran, and Grahame Gooding.

Mrs Cooper’s husband Bob was a Vietnam Vet and was a Legatee before he passed away. She said the support of Legacy and fellow war widows was “wonderful”.

“They’re been through what I’ve been through and they understand. A lot of the people in the community don’t understand the service background,” she said.

The torch relay aims to commemorate fallen servicemen, but to also highlight what the future holds for the organisation.

Legacy supports the partners and the children of those who gave their lives or their health for our country, and provides the essential social, financial and developmental support that families depend on each day.

CEO of Legacy Australia, Graham Boyd, said Legacy helps 40,000 families nationally, and the torch was travelling to every town with a Legacy club, to engage with those Legatees.

He said regional areas have additional issues of distance and volunteer numbers, and they were always looking for volunteers.

“If there were no further war, right now … we’ll be needed until about 2086, it just doesn’t go away,” Mr Boyd said.