Guy Barnett,Minister for Veterans' Affairs
It was with great honour I joined Hobart Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, to unveil a plaque at the official opening of Legacy Park today, honouring the service of World War One soldiers.
Located near the Soldiers Memorial Oval, Legacy Park boasts a children's play area, amphitheatre, picnic facilities and wood-fired pizza ovens, while providing valuable information to build awareness and understanding of Tasmania's military heritage and the experiences of soldiers.
This magnificent park is a credit to the passion and commitment of the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue, a dedicated group of more than 300 volunteers who have worked tirelessly to preserve and update Soldiers Memorial Avenue, which leads to Legacy Park.
The park includes information about Major General Sir John Gellibrand, a Tasmanian who is well-known for founding the Remembrance Club, in 1923, which became Legacy – the national charity devoted to supporting the families of deceased and incapacitated veterans.
Today Legacy supports around 80 000 widows or widowers and more than 600 children and disabled dependents of our servicemen and women throughout Australia
Legacy Park was made possible through funding from the Federal Government's Anzac Centenary Public Fund and the City of Hobart, with the support of the Hodgman Liberal Government.
I commend the vision and dedication of those behind the Legacy Park project, and trust that all who visit gain a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice young Tasmanian men and women made for the country they loved.
