A 103-year-old, World War II veteran and widow will be one of 54 torch bearers for the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay as it makes its way through Canberra on Monday.
and former Navy helicopter pilot Kate Munari. Photo: Chris Appleton
Merle Hare was just three when the unique organisation that supports veterans and their families started in Hobart and Melbourne in 1923. She saw service in the Navy and suffered the loss of her twin brother in the war. When Merle’s ex-serviceman husband passed away 26 years ago she became part of the Legacy family.
Canberra Legacy Club President Chris Appleton says Merle will be joined in the torch bearing honours by Afghanistan veteran and Australia’s only female Navy helicopter pilot in that conflict, Kate Munari.
“Merle’s a great character and Kate is a Legacy volunteer having joined on the conclusion of her service which included exchange with the Royal Commandos in the UK for three tours,” he says.
“We hope this iconic organisation, once a household name, after 100 years of keeping its promise will be seen for what it is – a wonderful, community-led charity that solely commits itself to the families of our veterans killed or injured in service.”
Having grown “out of the ashes” of the Great War, Legacy’s 100th anniversary relay commenced in Pozieres, France, on April 23 this year.
The six-month, 50,000-odd kilometre journey of the torch, the emblem of Legacy since 1926, took in the Menin Gate – the memorial to the missing in Belgian Flanders – and London, before arriving in WA.
Travelling through every state and territory, visiting each of the 44 Australian Legacy Clubs, the torch’s flame will ultimately be rejoined with the Eternal Flame at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on October 13.
“On Sunday night the torch as the centrepiece of our commemoration was presented as part of the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial,” says Chris.
“It accompanied the story of a World War I soldier from Queensland who left behind a widow and five kids. In 1929, one had so excelled at music he won a place at a prestigious institute in Europe. Legacy raised the funds to cover his expenses to take up the position.”
In addition to the 18-kilometre route through the city, on Monday night the Carillon, Old Parliament House and the National Museum will be lit up in the Legacy colours of red, white and blue. Core buildings in Russell will similarly be adorned for the coming week.
Celebrating 95 years, Canberra’s Legacy Club was inaugurated on Anzac Day, 1928, more recently incorporating the Yass and Boorowa clubs.
First Commissioner of the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC), Sir John Overall, was a long-time president of the club from his arrival in Canberra in 1958.
His son, Tim, former mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang and a torch bearer for the Queanbeyan leg of the relay on August 9, says he has many memories of his father’s involvement.
“Dad served in World War II, awarded a Military Cross and Bar during his time in El Alamein and Tobruk and it was important to him to honour the Legacy code of service and sacrifice”.
“I remember our visits to a modest, fibro, Narrabundah cottage which was the home of the widow and her two children who were dad’s wards,” says Tim.
“And standing in my school uniform selling badges at the Manuka shops for Legacy Week!”.
Chris Appleton points out that such fundraising remains a critical element of Legacy’s ongoing efforts with the torch relay offering the chance to make a contribution.
“It’s also Legacy Badge Week and volunteers will be all around Canberra. I hope people might like to buy a badge because that badge can make a big difference.”
“We will be needing the unique service Legacy provides for a long time yet.”
The Canberra torch relay will begin at the Australian War Memorial at 10.30am following the national launch of Legacy Badge Week at 9.30am.
It will conclude at Government House with an official reception.
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