Commonwealth War Graves Commission British Cemetery Pozières, France
Pozières is a place steeped in Australian sacrifice.
It was here, from July to September 1916, that 6,800 Australians lost their lives in the Battle of Pozières.
Over the course of seven weeks, three divisions of the Australian Imperial Force fought here, with some 23,000 casualties.
Charles Bean, the Australian Official Historian, described a part of the Pozières battlefield as "a ridge more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth".
Pozières occupies a special place in the heart of Australians, and today we remember the sacrifices of our fellow Australians who served here.
It was here, in the fields of France, where the flame of Legacy was lit.
Legacy began as a promise made between Australian mates in the trenches of the Western Front, to look after the families of those who died through the war.
For 100 years, Legacy has supported the families of Australian service personnel who have died or lost their health as a result of their service.
Today, Legacy supports around 43,000 widows, children and dependants across Australia.
It is a great honour to be here in Pozières on behalf of the Australian Government for the official start of the Legacy Centenary Torch relay.
It is remarkable that a promise made in such adversity has grown into such a noble organisation of volunteers that support fellow Australians suffering adversity due to the horrors of conflict.
We honour the work of Legacy and the heroic efforts to support the families of those who serve our nation.
Legacy was there for those families after the First World War just as it is today. On behalf of the Australian Government, I thank Legacy for the century of support it has given to the families of the men and women who have served our nation, and for the care it continues to provide.
We very much appreciate the wonderful work of the dedicated Legatees who give their time and energy to make a big difference to the lives of so many veterans' families. The Australian Government, and all Australians, are grateful for the work you do each and every day.
Congratulations Legacy on a century of service!
The Australian Government is proud to have provided a one-off grant of $357,000 to support Legacy's centenary commemorative activities.
The torch relay is the perfect way to mark this special milestone.
Legacy chose the torch of remembrance as its emblem, which embodied its commitment to never forget the sacrifice of our service men and women.
As this torch makes its way from France to Belgium to London and around Australia, its undying flame will remind us of the debt we owe to all those who have given so much for our country.
This torch relay commemorates the work of all those who came before, and symbolically hands the flame of remembrance to the next generation who will keep it burning brightly into the future.
In the coming days the torch will visit the Sir John Monash Centre and other sites of significance, including the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, and Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France, on Anzac Day.
The relay will then journey to London before making its way to Australia starting in Albany in Western Australia before travelling throughout the nation.
The relay will visit all 45 Legacy Clubs across the globe over the next 6 months. Approximately 1,500 torch bearers will also be given the opportunity to be part of this special event.
As the relay travels around the world, it will raise awareness of Legacy's 100 years of unwavering support for the families of the fallen.
It will also highlight the experiences of veterans and their families, and the impacts of service.
The flame represents the commitment to remember and help the families of the fallen, that was lit in these fields 100 years ago.
As it journeys across the globe let us remember those Australians who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom, let us thank those who have assisted their families over the last century, and let us keep the promise for generations to come.
I wish you good luck on your journey and I look forward to seeing the torch back in Australia!
Thank you.
