The City of Greater Geelong will commemorate 100 years of Geelong Legacy, which supports the families of those deceased or incapacitated while undertaking military service.
The concept of Legacy dates back to World War I, where an injured soldier asked their fellow soldier to look after their family - today, this tradition lives on following a number of conflicts which have seen involvement from Geelong servicepeople.
The second oldest Legacy group in Australia, Geelong Legacy marked its centenary last week. Its volunteers support nearly 300 beneficiaries with a range of supports, including safe social environments, everyday essentials and education support for impacted children.
Geelong Legacy currently has 45 active members from all walks of life, some with a military background and others who have seen the positive impact of Legacy and wanted to contribute.
To formally commemorate the centenary, the City will host a special event and presentation on 3 September at City Hall, where two Lone Pines have been standing for 60 years in Johnstone Park.
The event was timed to coincide with Legacy Week, which will run from Sunday 31 August to Saturday 6 September 2025.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The aftermath of conflict touches us all, and the work that Geelong Legacy has done over the past 100 years is an extremely significant milestone.I look forward to this formal presentation during this year's Legacy Week, where our city can thank all the Legatees for the work they do to support our community.
Councillor Chris Burson
I want to pay tribute to all of the volunteers who have chosen to give back through Geelong Legacy.The reasons why people volunteer are diverse, some have experienced what it's like to be in the centre of conflict themselves, while others don't have that direct experience but simply understand the importance of supporting the families left behind.
