The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, officially reached Queensland on 24 May as part of its Australian journey to commemorate Legacy’s Centenary and the Sunshine Coast on 7 June.
The Torch Relay 2023 began its journey in Pozières France on 23 April, with an official Opening Ceremony, then travelled to Menin Gate, Belgium and onto London before arriving in Australia where it will undertake its six-month journey visiting all Legacy Club locations around the country, before culminating in Melbourne.
The first Queensland relay was at Cairns on Wednesday 24 May at 8:30am, starting from the Tobruk Memorial Pool.
The flame is now nearing the end of a more than 90km throughout the state, with relays in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Gold Coast.
Featuring 275 torch bearers in total including Legacy beneficiaries, Legatees and Defence Personnel, torch bearers of note include Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, Charles M Wright AM, former chairman of Legacy Australia and past president of Legacy Sydney, Bryce Rogers OAM, Colonel David Lynch CSC , Legatee Mal McCullough, President Legacy Far North Queensland, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Victoria Cross recipients Keith Payne and Daniel Keighran and Adrian Schrinner Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
During the Centenary tour, the torch will travel 50,000 kilometres, with 100 stops over 75 days, and be carried by 1300 Torch Bearers, all with a personal connection to Legacy Australia.
Eric Easterbrook OAM, Chairman of Legacy Australia, said the torch relay was a fitting commemoration of a century of service.
“Over the decades, Legacy has had a significant impact on many spouses, partners and children of veterans in the state of Queensland,” he said.
“From Cairns to the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, we hope this relay will raise awareness of the important work Legacy does across the sunshine state in supporting our veterans’ families.”
Legacy Australia has been supporting Veteran’s families since 1923 and was founded on a Promise made from one digger to another.
Today, Legacy supports over 40,000 partners and children of veterans’ who put their health and lives on the line for our country. To date torch bearers have raised $130,000 for Legacy. Donations allow Legacy to keep the promise to veterans’ families. To donate visit https://legacy.com.au/donate.
