2013 ANZAC Ball a resounding success.
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April 2013
London Legacy would like to thank all Sponsors, Entertainers and Guests for making this years Legacy ANZAC Ball for 2013 the most successful ever.
250 guests enjoyed fantastic food and entertainment in the grand setting of Australia House's Ballroom.
Said Legatee President Lindsay Birrell, " we are extremely pleased and proud that the Australian and New Zealand community came together in such a magnificent manner. It was the largest ANZAC Ball in recent history, certainly since Legacy have been involved".
All proceeds from the Ball enable London Legacy to continue to care for the families of incapacitated and deceased Australian & New Zealand veterans.
Attendees include representatives from High Commissions, Defence staff, members of the Britain Australia Society, Australian Business, Yeomen Warders and their families and London Legacy amongst others. The evenings special guests were Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Churchill. Mr. Churchill, the great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill provide the Guest of Honour speech. |
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London Legacy announces the 2013 ANZAC Ball is sold out.
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March 2013
London Legacy is proud to announce that the Legacy ANZAC Ball for 2013 is sold out.
The Legacy ANZAC Ball will be held on Friday the 19th of April at Australia House in the elegant surroundings of the Ballroom at Australia House on the Strand in London.
Proceeds from the Ball enable London Legacy to continue to care for the families of incapacitated and deceased Australian & New Zealand veterans. |
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Don't forget Sutton Veny.
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January 2013
| Most Australians have never heard of a small village called Sutton Veny, situated in the beautiful Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Bath in England. Its a long way from home and its never been seen as a compelling story for our history classes. Situated about 2 miles from the town of Warminster in Wiltshire, it is near popular British tourists destinations Longleat House and Safari Park and holiday place Centre Parcs.
However, there is a particular reason that Australians should not only thank the people of Sutton Veny, but also spend the time to pay a visit to this small but mighty village.
This village was a concentration area during the 1st World War for units going to and from France. For many Australians, making it through the war was not their only challenge. The great infuenza epidemic if 1918 took many lives, including Australians, who as a result never made it back home.
Sutton Veny is the site of one of many Australian cemetery's spread around the world with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission having a Cemetery beside St Johns Church. There are many Australian soldiers, many victims of the influenza epidemic.
|  The village takes great care and offers great respect to the ANZAC's, both male and female who were never able to leave. Yes, female, as 2 nurses also lie in the Australian War Cemetery there.
Each ANZAC Day the village hosts a commemorative service and the village website contains a wealth of information on ANZAC's and the Cemetery. It also has a picture gallery containing some wonderful postcards and photographs of the period.
The next time you are in the area, or even if you can plan to do so, head over to a beautiful part of England and thank the people of Sutton Veny, as well as pay your respects to those who gave so much for our freedom. .
| To go to the Sutton Veny website, click on:Sutton Veny Australian War Cemetery
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Twickenham grave of ANZAC war hero restored.
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January 2013
| The London grave of a British general who led Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli has been restored after falling into disrepair.
General Sir William Birdwood, known as Birdy to the ANZAC’s, also led troops in France and Belgium during World War I.
Our very own President Lindsay Birrell was interviewed by the BBC yesterday in a report on a topic that has raised real interest both her in the UK and in Australia.
There was a real need to repair the grave of the World War One English born General, who gave the name ANZAC to our forces.
The Victoria Cross Trust in the UK had been looking for funds to repair his grave at Twickenham Cemetery as it had fallen into disrepair. Even though General Birdwood's grave is a private memorial and the responsibility of his family, the Australian Government made an exception to perform the repair work.
Australia's Department of Veterans' Affairs has been on the job. After Veterans' Affairs contacted the General's grandson, permission was gained to remediate the grave and the repair work was completed this month.
|  Lindsay Birrell, President of London Legacy, which looks after the families of Australian war veterans, said the grave in Twickenham was important to Australians.
Field Marshall William Riddell Birdwood, 1st Baron of Birdwood was the 1st World War British General who was best remembered as the Commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) during the Gallipoli Campaign which began on the 25th April 1915.
Said Lindsay “He had the ability to meld the Aussies and the Kiwis into one fighting force, with the British troops. On one occasion he was patrolling the frontline talking to his men when he was shot at but an Aussie shouted “duck birdie”, saving his life. An officer close by said to the General will I charge that soldier for calling you birdie, the General replied no “give him a bloody medal”.
His nickname of Birdie stuck right through the war.
On the 19th April 2013 just before ANZAC Day this year we are holding our annual ANZAC Ball in Australia House at which Randolph Churchill will be our guest of honour . It is fitting that we remember General Birdwood at this time as the whole Gallipoli Campaign started with Churchill suggesting to his Admiral’s the idea. .
| To see Lindsay's interview and the full BBC report, click on:BBC Birdwood grave report
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London Legacy offers condolences to families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
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August 2012
London Legacy offers its sincere condolences to the partners and families of Australian soldiers who have lost their lives during two separate incidents in Afghanistan.
The London Legacy family are deeply saddened at the news of five Australian soldiers losing their lives, and like our colleagues in Australia, offer our thoughts and prayers to all partners and families. |
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Help for Heroes and Rugby UK provide support for London Legacy.
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London Legacy announces twin success for Rutherglen
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July 2012
|  London Legacy is pleased to announce two superb successes for Rutherglen linked supporters of Legacy.
The recent ANZAC GALLIPOLI LEGACY BALL at Australia House in London saw two Rutherglen (Victoria) linked supporters of London Legacy contribute to what was a very successful evening. And since this event, London Legacy is very pleased to announce outstanding success for both supporters, bringing Rutherglen to the fore of sporting and wine success.
During the Ball, attendees were enthralled to view an exclusive DVD of Andrew Hoy OAM riding his horse Rutherglen in preparation for Olympic qualifying. Legatee Andrew Hoy was at the time riding at the famous Kentucky 3 day event in the USA attempting to qualify for what would be his 7th Olympic games representing Australia in Equestrian events.
Andrew has a long track record with his 6 Olympic Games delivering 3 gold and one silver medal. Andrew had dedicated his ride in the upcoming Olympics to Legacy Australia if he qualified. The news this week is that Legacy will be represented at the London Olympics as Andrew has indeed qualified and will be heading to London for his 7th Olympic games.
| At the same time Ball attendees were watching Andrew ride Rutherglen, they didn't realise that they were sipping a soon to be famous drink, courtesy of Stanton & Killeen from Rutherglen, Victoria. Wendy Killeen of Stanton & Killeen had sent London Legacy her Classic Rutherglen Muscat to sip as we watched Andrew put his now famous horse through his paces on the big screen.
The rest is history as recently, Stanton & Killeen were honoured when they were awarded two international trophies at the International Wine Challenge for their Classic Rutherglen Muscat . Wendy Killeen said "To take out the trophy for Best Rutherglen Wine and Best International Fortified Muscat is a tribute to our forebears who set up our cellars and instilled in our custodians of the generation, a sense of future, of quality and excellence.
|  Both Wendy and Andrew are hopeful of attending our ANZAC Ball next year, the Friday before ANZAC DAY, at Australia House London, when we will again sample the world's leading Classic Muscat with the distinctive tastes of molasses, mocha, coffee bean, silky, luscious, complex, well balanced etc., the words dancing out of the mouths of the judges at the prestigious International Wine Challenge in London last month. This eclectic group of professional wine industry personnel were charged with the task of judging more than 12,000 international wines.
Please put this prestigious event in your 2013 diary now and support the work of London Legacy in caring for the families of incapacitated and deceased Veterans living in 38 countries around the world.
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London Legacy launches 2013 Turkey Tour with the support of ‘On the Go’
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Reception for Mongol Rally Legacy Fundraisers
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June 2012
|  London Legacy is hosting a reception for a team of Aussies and Kiwis who have set themselves the goal of raising $20,000 for Legacy by competing in the Mongol Rally.
The reception will be held in Queensland House, London at 6.30pm to 8.30pm on the 12th of July. London Legacy intends to provide the team with a rousing send off before they depart on their journey.
Calling themselves the ‘trekking in tweed’ team, they describe themselves as a team of young antipodean thrusters who have an unhealthy fascination with all things related to tweed, tea and adventure. They are competing in the Mongol Rally 2012, a motor-vehicle rally organised by a group of eccentric young Britons who call themselves “The Adventurists”. The premise of this rally is to drive a highly unsuitable car, in the name of charity, from London, UK, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (approximately 10,000 Miles, dependant on the particular route taken).
And by “highly unsuitable car”, they mean something with an engine capacity of less of than 1.2 Litres (think Nissan Micra or Toyota Yaris)..
| You can donate at the following website and also follow their exploits online at:Trekking in Tweed
| Their adventure begins at the Goodwood Festival of Slow on the 14th of July.
If you would like to attend the reception, please contact Lindsay Birrell on +44 (0) 7505 145 461 or at lindsaybirrell@gmail.com.
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London Legacy thanks all those who provided their support for 2012 ANZAC Day Appeal
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April 2012
London Legacy today issued a general notice of thanks to all its Sponsors, Supporters and Volunteers who have given their time and money towards the 2012 ANZAC Day Appeal in London.
This year a number of events commemorating ANZAC Day were conducted in London including a Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner followed by a commemorative service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. London Legacy's Volunteers were at all events selling pins and collecting the donations of the very generous Australian and New Zealand community.
London Legacy had representatives at many other sites throughout Europe, laying wreaths and attending services on ANZAC Day including at Gallipoli (Turkey), Villers-Bretonneux (France), Ypres (Belgium), Sutton Veny (UK) and Harefield (UK).
Said London Legacy President Legatee Lindsay Birrell, “London Legacy is very grateful for the support of all the companies and people that have supported us this ANZAC Day. London Legacy plays an important role in providing administrative, financial and moral support to many widows and families for a variety of reasons and circumstances. The loss of a husband or father is a huge gap in anyone’s life and London Legacy is there to lend a hand if needed. And this appeal enables us to raise valuable funds to enable us to continue to provide this support”.
“We are totally voluntary organisation and rely on the support of Australian and New Zealanders to provide their time, money and expertise in many areas, and for this support we are very grateful” said Mr Birrell.
If you would like to volunteer for Legacy, please contact Lindsay Birrell on 07505145461. Additionally, if you are aware of any families in need of London Legacy assistance, please contact London Legacy. |
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To read more about ANZAC Day in Europe please click here.
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Legacy calls for support for the Buswell Family to compete in the 2012 BMX World Championships
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January 2012
London Legacy, in conjunction with Townsville Legacy is appealing for help to enable our little hero Harrison Buswell get to the 2012 BMX World Championships in the UK.
Harrison’s father, Tim, served in Somalia with 1RAR and tragically died not long after service from a rare disease which they believe he contracted whilst on duty.
Since Tim’s death in 2006 Legacy has been supporting the Buswell family. To ensure the Harrison and his two brothers didn't miss out despite the loss of their Dad, Legacy has financially supported all of the boys school fees, books and uniforms; as well as Harrison's BMX racing pursuits as he is an extremely talented rider.
In 2009 Harrison was ranked 5 in the world for his age group – next year he aims to be No.1! His older brother Taylor is now aiming to join him as he takes on the QLD state championshipswith both boys hoping to compete in the BMX Championships in the UK in May.
The UCI BMX World Championships will have the worlds best riders chasing the right to wear the coveted rainbow stripes for the following 12 months. The event is also the last event in which nations can secure valuable qualification points as they strive to earn their place at the London Olympics in 2012. The event takes place in Birmingham between 24th and 27th May 2012 .
Mum Jody has a lot on her shoulders caring for her boys & ensuring their hopes & aspirations are given their best chance. Jody is doing everything she can to give her sons the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Championships. Legacy is calling for our supporters to get behind the Buswells and donate any spare money they can to help Jody achieve this aim.
Please support the Buswells by making a tax deductible donation today! Everyday Hero donations
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Britain-Australia Society (West Country) launches Tom Roberts Raffle supporting London Legacy
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December 2011
| Two important copies of paintings by acclaimed Australian artist Tom Roberts are to be raffled by the West Country Branch of the Britain Australia Society.
Chairman Richard Pavitt, a keen supporter of London Legacy, has generously ensured that a sizeable portion of the proceeds will go to London Legacy.
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| The winning tickets for the two paintings, Lily Sterling (c.1890) and Winter England (c.1920) will be drawn at the Dorset County Museum and at the ANZAC Day Luncheon, Warminster, on the 4th of February 2012 and the 22nd of April 2012 respectively.
| Tickets are available at £5 each on the Brit-Oz (West Country) website: Brit-Oz (West Country)
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London Legacy launches Gallipoli Uncovered Tour 2012
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December 2011
|  For those not lucky enough to win the raffle, London Legacy, in conjunction with On The Go Tours is conducting tours to Gallipoli over the next four years leading up to the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
Titled the Gallipoli Uncovered tour, this is a fully escorted 7 day tour of Turkey (Istanbul, Kilitbahir and Troy) and includes 4 star hotel accommodation, guided sightseeing, all transfers & transportation, many meals and a few unique experiences along the way.
| The tour price is £799 per person with the single supplement total price being £948.
The first tour starts on the 10th of April 2012. For further details go to the On The Go Tours website at: On The Go Tours Website
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For Past News and Photos click here.
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