Sarah McGrath with her sons Mitchell and Harrison with the Legacy plaque after the dedication at the Yass Memorial Hall. Photos: Sally Hopman.
As dignitaries and guests gathered at the Yass Memorial Hall last week to mark the centenary of Legacy, a young boy stood next to his mother who was cradling her second, younger son.
The boy was Mitchell McGrath, 4, and he was wearing the medals of his father, Joshua Manning, a specialist diver who had served his country with the Royal Australian Navy. Mr Manning died in 2019.
As Mitchell stood with his mother Sarah McGrath and younger son Harrison, 1, of Yass, a special plaque, honouring and remembering such men and women who gave their all for their country was unveiled.
Chairman of the Yass and Boorowa branch of Legacy, Bob Richardson, said that 100 years ago this year, Legacy was formed on a promise to help veterans’ families move on with their lives after the loss or injury of a loved one.
He said it was a simple promise, but one that was kept today, providing the sort of stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide his or her family.
Over the years, he said, the Yass-Boorowa branch had helped families of those who died serving their country, from providing firewood to widows to selling sheep as a fundraiser to taking people to medical appointments.
“We did whatever is needed,” he said, “and still do.”
Sean Bell, left, who gave the Welcome to Country, Legacy chairman Bob Richardson and the Mayor of Yass, Allan McGrath with the plaque.
Ms McGrath, speaking after the event, said Legacy had helped her and her boys feel a sense of community support and connection at “a time when everything seemed to be turned upside down”.
“I feel like there is someone there looking out for us,” she said. “They have been able to provide a sense of escape from the concerns of the day-to-day for me with my two young children.
“Legacy certainly is an organisation that keeps its promise to look after families of those that have served.”
The ceremony also featured a Welcome to Country from Sean Bell, the grandson of Ngunnawal Country elder, Ken Bell.
On behalf of his ancestors, Sean said, he was pleased to welcome guests to country, with his ancestors’ spirit protecting the visitors from another land.
The plaque marking 100 years of Legacy in Australia will be erected outside the Memorial Hall in Yass.
Earlier in the week, John Heggart represented the Yass Boorowa Club in the annual Torch Run to Canberra to mark the start of Legacy Week. The run began on 23 April in France and is scheduled to travel to all 44 Legacy clubs across Australia during the centenary year.
Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman, who dedicated the plaque, paid tribute to the invaluable support Legacy and its volunteers had provided since 1923 to thousands of families who had lost loved ones.
The plaque will be erected on a pillar outside the hall in the main street.
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