IT’S that time of the year again, and Moree’s best-loved volunteer, Darryl Brady, will this week be tramping the footpath from one side of town to the other to help raise money for Legacy.
Legacy Week runs from September 1 until September 7, and has been an annual fundraising event across Australia since the 1940s, after being established in the 1920s.
It is a time for all Australians to show support for the widows and children whose loved ones have served the country in times of conflict.
Mr Brady, named Volunteer of the Year at the Moree Plains Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards in 2021, is a familiar face when the call-up comes to help others.
He began selling Legacy badges at the Moree Markets on Sunday, and has already raised more than $1000.
“I wandered around the markets and car show, and met a lot of people who dug deep to support Legacy,” Mr Brady said.
“It was a great markets, a big markets, and we sold more than $500 worth of bric-a-brac and second-hand goods at our military museum stall as well, which is always well-supported.
“It’s been a good start to Legacy Week, absolutely, and I’ll be out and about raising as much as I can for such a great organisation.
“Apart from the badges, we’ve also got military bears – army, navy and airforce – and I’ll be walking from the main bridge to all the business houses on Frome Street as far south as Chesterfield,” he said.
“I’ll get along Gosport Street as well, at some stage.”
Prices range from $3 to $50, and all sales helps Legacy support more than 34,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving Australia, including 10,000 in New South Wales.
In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of loved ones.
Fast-forward 101 years and it is a promise still kept today, providing the same stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.
The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for veterans’ families, symbolising the nation’s values of mateship, compassion and fairness.
Minister for Veterans David Harris said Legacy Week is a time to give back to the families of veterans who have given so much.
“I encourage everyone to make a small donation and purchase a Legacy badge this week to make a big difference to helping the families of veterans in need.”
Image: Bill Poulos
