After just over a month on the road travelling from France and now around Australia, the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay will touch down in Queensland this week.
One man particularly looking forward to the relay is Warwick’s John Telfer who is set to take part in the Toowoomba leg in June.
Former teacher, RAAF member, historian and Warwick/Stanthorpe today history writer John Telfer will fly the flag for the Granite Belt when the torch comes to Toowoomba on 14 June.
“I am very excited to have the honour of getting selected for such a prestigious event,” he explained.
“I do not know any other of the torch bearers selected and I am not sure, but I believe I am the only granite belt resident selected.”
As well as raising awareness and celebrating a hundred years of Legacy, the event, which started in Pozieres, France on 23 April is aimed at raising money to help this cause.
“So far I have raised $3,500 for Legacy,” John said.
“I am a very big supporter of Legacy. As a historian I am in awe of the Anzacs and the contribution they have made to the history of Australia. Their mateship, sacrifice and courage from a country so small in 1915, is something that is enshrined in all of us since.”
The Torch relay, presented by Defence Health will travel through Queensland from 24 May to 19 June.
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 in Cairns on Wednesday 24 May at 8:30am starting from the Tobruk Memorial Pool. The flame will travel throughout the state, with relays in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Gold Coast.
eaturing 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.
Legacy Australia Chairman Eric Easterbrook OAM said 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.
“The torch relay is a fitting commemoration of a century of service,” he said.
“Over the decades, Legacy has had a significant impact on many spouses, partners and children of veterans in the state of Queensland. 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 legacy.com.au/donate.”
The relay will continue its journey throughout local towns and cities across Australia with an Australian Defence Force tri-service escort, visiting all 45 Legacy Club locations concluding in Melbourne in October.
