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President of London Legacy presents special memorial tribute to Roger Sinclair.
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June 2010
| His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO The High Commission for Australia to the UK & our Patron, Commodore Peter Lockwood head of the Defense Staff & Lindsay Birrell President London Legacy have presented a special memorial tribute to Roger Sinclair for his mother Naomi, whose husband Richard then aged 22, was killed while serving as a fighter pilot on HMAS SYDNEY III during the Korean War in 1951. Naomi was unable to attend due to illness.
The memorial tribute was arranged because Naomi never broke faith with the memory of her husband and was sent by Captain Peter Leavy RAN Captain of HMAS SYDNEY IV. Dick Sinclair served as a fighter Pilot on HMAS SYDNEY III during the Korean War in 1951. He was killed in action. He was buried at sea with full honors.
Naomi has kept faith with the memory of her husband for 59 years, never remarried, and brought up her son Roger, just 14 weeks old when his father was killed. The rest is history, Legacy then London Legacy have supported Naomi and her son all these years and still take a keen interest in her welfare.
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London Legacy President delivers Annual Report to Annual Reception at Australia House.
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June 2010
| London legacy President Lindsay Birrell today delivered his anuual message at the London Legacy Annual reception held at Australia House. The text of Lindsays message follows.
His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO, High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom, and Patron London Legacy, representatives from the New Zealand High Commissioner, Legatee Commodore Lockwood Head Australian Defence Staff, Mrs Lockwood, Agents General, Directors Westpac Bank in the UK, the Directors of TNT Magazine, Mr & Mrs Russel Fielding, Widows, Legatees, distinguished guests, friends all.
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It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this reception to say thanks you to everyone for your continued support for our important work of supporting our Australian and New Zealand war widows living in the UK and now located in 37 countries outside Australia.
Much has happened since last year when our reception was marred by a train strike on the night. Only 40 were able to attend, tonight we have well over 100 so please enjoy your night, get around to meet our biggest ever number of our widows able to attend..
During the evening I will introduce Peter Grose our guest speaker who is the author of the award winning book entitled "An Awkward Truth" The bombing of Darwin 1942, and we will also be raffling dozen boxes of fabulous Australian wines donated by Agents General.
I want to thank His Excellency for being our very active Patron with his hands on advice and help in many ways, including making the presentation to Roger Sinclair on behalf of his mother,(see News Release), Defence staff for their ever ready assistance, in particular Shirley Jones who is our minute secretary and general contact with Australia House and Legatee Andrew Craig, Agent General for Queensland, who via his Government has let us have an office in Queensland House.
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I would like to thank our Legatees and Volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year, attending meetings, supporting our widows, manning our office, selling Legacy Pins on ANZAC DAY etc. etc .A special thanks to widow Isobel Tripney who answered my call for help, to come and help in the office. Isobel has worked there for 2 days a week for 4 months!
Also Marius Barnsley, a young Australian in London looking for a job volunteered and has been in our office almost full time since the office opened.
We thank Westpac Bank UK, for their support this year in many ways including providing us with a computer and colour printer for our new office as well as supplying staff members to join our ANZAC DAY team raising funds etc.
A big thanks to the Directors and staff of TNT Magazine for all their help during the year, especially for holding the TNT ANZAC BALL, which was very successful again this year, they are our oldest financial supporter and have held the TNT ANZAC Ball for more than 10 years and we hope they will continue to support us into the future.
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Another thank you goes to Mr & Mrs Russel Fielding of ANZAC SPORTS CHALLENGE and The Clapham Grand Hotel for their ongoing support over the last 4 years. We look forward to continuing our association.
Many other thanks are due to a lot of people both here tonight and those who couldn't make it, but they know who they are and we appreciate their continued help year after year, from Australian Business, Australia Day Foundation, Brit/Aus Society, ICANZ, ICAA. CPA Australia NZ High Commission, Australian High Commission, the Australia Shop, Churches, Agents General, Legacy Australia etc. etc.
We are all saddened by the death of some of our widows, the illness of some of our Legatees; we hope they will soon recover. I make special mention of Legatee Mel Quinn, who has had another major operation to remove more of the tumour from his brain. Legatee Mel has to undergo more kimo but he is always in our prayers. Stick with it Mel.
Legatee Liz O’Brien has recovered from a broken ankle, Legatee Max Phillips is still struggling with a bad leg and the shock of a car accident, Legatee Ed Bennett has had a pace maker fitted, Col John Cormack retired, but we all soldier on. We welcome new Legatees to take up the important of attending to our widows needs now expanded to other countries.
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Australian Government supports London Legacy initiative for overseas DVA pension payments.
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April 2010
| From early 2010, Department of Veterans Affairs pension payments can be made directly into overseas bank accounts, a move that makes it so much easier for deserving recipients to access their pension payments.
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Previously payments could only be made into Australian bank accounts, which proved a real problem for many elderly pensioners who resided overseas to access their pensions.
London Legacy has been campaigning to change this situation over a number of years. Nearly 2 years ago, London Legacy President Lindsay Birrell approach Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in London about the problem. Mr Rudd, himself a recipient of Legacy support promised to look into the situation, and since then with the help of many parties, the change to overseas payments has been implemented.
London Legacy is grateful to the support that Mr Rudd has provided to make this very important change happen. Said Lindsay Birrell “Mr Rudd was very receptive to my questions at a business lunch in London a couple of years ago, and although he was fairly new in office at the time, took pack our issue to Australia. We are very pleased and thank all the people who have worked to make this change happen, its means a lot to many people” he added.
Overseas DVA pensioners should contact London Legacy if they have not received any correspondence from the DVA advising them of their new payment options.
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London Legacy represented at Villers-Bretonneux on ANZAC Day.
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April 2010
| London Legacy was represented at the recent ANZAC Day services held in Villers-Bretonneux. Legatee and Treasurer Vicki Genrich represented London Legacy on what has becoming a very significant event.
Although Gallipoli is always going to be well attended, more and more Australians and New Zealanders are being drawn to the Western Front, where the scale of the war is almost incomprehensible.
The site of the recent ANZAC Day services is very significant for Australians. In the First World War, on 24 April 1918, the small town of Villers-Bretonneux was the site of the world's first battle between two tank forces: three British Mark IVs against three German A7Vs. The Germans took the town, but that night and the next day it was recaptured by 4th and 5th Division of the AIF at a cost of over twelve hundred Australian lives. The people of Villers-Bretonneux remain indebted to Australia for this feat. The town's mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour:
"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for."
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| The Australian War Memorial in France is located in Villers-Bretonneux and in front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of other British Empire soldiers involved in the campaign. The school in Villers-Bretonneux was rebuilt using donations from school children of Victoria, Australia (many of whom had relatives perish in the town's liberation), and above every blackboard is the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie" (Never forget Australia).
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Vicki Genrich laid a reef on behalf of London Legacy at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Many people have noted that the excellent television coverage of the event back in Australia saw the highlighting of the London Legacy presence. “My father in law tells me that I was on Australian TV and the commentator actually said ‘a wreath being laid for Legacy’” said Vicky.
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| London Legacy is dedicated to supporting the widows and families of deceased Australian and New Zealand service personnel who reside in Europe and the United Kingdom. London Legacy currently support over 60 widows of Australian and New Zealand service personnel here in the UK and Europe. |
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London Legacy announces new initiatives and schedule for ANZAC Day due to date clash with London Marathon.
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April 2010
| London Legacy today announced that it will again be holding its annual collection drives at the ANZAC Day events in London as usual although the London Marathon will this year be held on the same date.
The 25th of April is ANZAC Day and sees the Australian and New Zealand communities put their keen sporting rivalries on hold for a day when they join together to commemorate the sacrifices made by their families and forebears during periods of conflict.
This year with the Marathon being held in central London on the same day, to accommodate the many thousands of runners and spectators for the Marathon a number of commemorative events have had their timings changed. The Wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall shall commence at 8:00am on ANZAC Day, whilst the invite only service at Westminster Abbey shall commence at 9:00am.
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The traditional dawn service of course shall still commence at 5:00am and is being hosted at Hyde Park Corner, with the main service taking place this year at the New Zealand Memorial.
London Legacy, the European arm of Legacy, a uniquely Australian & New Zealand charity established in 1947 in London by ex-servicemen is dedicated to the task of caring for the widows and dependants of their comrades who have served in a war or operational area or whose death was occasioned by hazardous service or training for war. London Legacy surprisingly cares for over 65 widows in the United Kingdom alone.
Lindsay Birrell, Legatee & President of London Legacy today pointed out that ANZAC Day is a key day for the raising of funds to support the totally voluntary work London Legacy does providing for the well being of its widows.
“Our major challenge is the care of widows of advanced years who now need special care and practical assistance in such matters as accommodation, medical, legal and general welfare and assistance. This all costs money so we are looking for help” Mr Birrell commented. “We find ANZAC Day is a time of the year where people open their hearts and pockets to us, so we are looking for people to support Legacy by buying a Legacy Pin or just a straight out donation” he added.
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London Legacy will be present at services on ANZAC Day, commencing with the Dawn Service at the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London. Wreaths will be laid at the Australian War Memorial (also at Hyde Park Corner) immediately after the completion of the Dawn Service. Other locations include Sutton Veny, Harefield and at Villers-Bretonneux on the Somme.
London Legacy will also be present for people to buy Pins and make donations at the 8:00am Wreath service at the Cenotaph and also at the following ANZAC service at Westminster Abbey at 9:00am.
Legacy will also be present at other ANZAC Day themed events including the ANZAC Sports Challenge at Grasshoppers R.F.C. and the TNT ANZAC Ball at the Chelsea Football Club, both on the 24th of April. As well, the world famous Church is hosting an ANZAC Sunday with Legacy on the 25th of April at the Clapham Grand. Artisan & vine today announced that they are donating 1 pound for every bottle of wine they sell on ANZAC Day. They can be found at 126 St John's Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 1SL. London Legacy hopes that all Australians and New Zealanders can support the work these fabulous organisations are doing for London Legacy.
Any help and assistance people can offer to London Legacy UK Registered Charity No 1085603 would be very much appreciated to allow the continued support of widow’s still living in Europe.
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Dr. Kathleen Lucy Browning
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March 2010
| London Legacy widow Dr. Kathleen Lucy Browning sadly passed away on Thursday 25th March 2010 at the age of eighty nine years.
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The funeral service was held on Monday 12th April 2010 at the Memorial Chapel at the Oxford Crematorium and the reception was held at Wolfson College Oxford University. Dr. Browning was an Alumni of Wolfson College.
London Legacy Assistant Secretary Legatee John Crowe attended the Funeral on behalf of Legatee President Lindsay Birrell who was overseas.
A plaque is to be erected at the “Cenotaph Section” in the Remembrance Gardens of the Oxford Crematorium in memory of Robert John Browning and Kathleen Lucy Browning which London Legacy will support.
Donations can be made to London Legacy Queensland House 392 The Strand London, WC2R OLT or by email at londonlegacy67@aol.com.
Dr. Browning has a living nephew Robert Browning based in Singapore who was able to visit her just one week before her death. Dr Browning was a great supporter of London Legacy, always keeping in touch with Legatee Secretary Liz O'Brien, who expressed great sorrow at the passing of such a dear friend and colleague.
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London Legacy farewells Legatee Steve Martin and welcomes Commodore Peter Lockwood
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March 2010
| A reception was recently held at in the London Legacy offices at Queensland House on the Strand in London to farewell Legatee Air Commodore Steve Martin and to welcome Commodore Peter Lockwood to the UK.
Steve Martin returns to Australia after serving the Australian people in London as a senior public service figure and as a significant backer and contributor to the recent growth and success of London Legacy.
Legatee President Lindsay Birrell spoke in glowing term of the 3 years of service Steve completed as a Legatee and Trustee. Lindsay referred to the wise council and friendship Steve offered to all Legatees. Steve contributed to the professionalism of London Legacy and its evolution, building an organisation set to fulfil its role in an even more efficient and professional manner.
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One of Steve’s final contributions to London Legacy was the advice in his closing remarks made at the London Legacy Annual General Meeting in January; for the organisation to build a stronger support structure for the President, including identifying and appointing two Vice Presidents to share his load.
“It was fitting that we were able to advise Legatee Steve at our reception that in fact Legatee Vicki Genrich and Legatee Mark Daley were to be nominated as Vice Presidents at our forthcoming April meeting” said Lindsay.
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A presentation was made to Steve of a framed photo of Steve, Mrs Martin and PA Wendy Tritton taken at Australia House at the occasion held to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Great Britain. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended and Steve and Mrs Martin were presented to Her Majesty.
In response, Steve made complementary remarks about the progress he had seen in London Legacy in his 3 years in London.
Additionally, Commodore Lockwood attended the reception after only arriving in London a few days ago; succeeding Steve as Head of the Defence Staff at Australia House. The attendees provided a warm welcome and Lindsay echoed the thoughts of all in wishing Commodore Lockwood a very successful and enjoyable time in the UK.
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Legatee Steve Martin at left, Legatee
President Lindsay Birrell with
Commodore Lockwood to right.
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| |  | Legatee Steve Martin and Commodore
Lockwood with the London Legacy team.
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2010 ANZAC Sports Challenge to support Legacy in the UK.
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March 2010
| London Legacy’s President Lindsay Birrell announced today that the organisers of the annual ANZAC Sports Challenge have appointed London Legacy as their major charity for this years 6th annual event.
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“We are pleased to announce that the ANZAC Sports Challenge has selected London Legacy as their charity of choice to support the work we do here for the widows and families of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force members based throughout Europe, particularly after the death of a spouse or parent during service” said Mr Birrell.
The ANZAC Sports Challenge is the annual sporting challenge between Australians and New Zealanders living in the UK. The event will be held on April 24th, 2010 at Grasshoppers RFC and will feature many flagship antipodean events and organisations including AFL London, Premier Touch Rugby and Easy OE.
The organisors have committed to supporting London Legacy with a cash donation, free tickets and will allow London Legacy to sell traditional Legacy pins throughout the event. “We are extremely pleased and grateful for the ongoing support of the ANZAC Sports Challenge, who have supported London Legacy for a number of years now” said Mr Birrell. “Many people don’t realise the extent of help and support some of their fellow antipodeans need here in the UK and throughout Europe as they get older. We not only help with practical support such as assistance with accommodation, medical, legal and general welfare; but we also lobby the respective governments of Australia and New Zealand for the rights of widows and families living outside of their respective countries” he added. :The support we receive from the ANZAC Sports Challenge is extremely important to a voluntary organisation such as London Legacy and to the people that we ourselves support”.
For more information on the ANZAC Sports Challenge 2010, go to www.anzacsportschallenge.com. London Legacy hopes all those attending on the day will keep a lookout for London Legacy volunteers who will have Legacy pins for sale and will also have donation buckets for any spare change.
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London Legacy represented at Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in the UK.
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February 2010
| London Legacy’s President Lindsay Birrell was one of a lucky number of people who recently attended the Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in the UK event held at Australia House in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The event saw The Queen attend Australia House on the 19th of February with a large number of Australian and UK dignitaries, hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO, who is also the Patron of London Legacy.
The Australian High Commission has now been established in London for 100 years; and is Australia's oldest diplomatic posting, being established in 1910. Australia House is now the longest, continuous diplomatic site in the United Kingdom.
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Mr Birrell represented Legacy Australia,, a voluntary organisation of veterans, servicemen and women and other volunteers dedicated to the care of the dependants of Australian Defence Force members based throughout the world in 38 countries.
“It was an extreme privilege and pleasure to represent Legacy Australia at this very special event. I was able to speak to Her Majesty who expressed knowledge of our organisation and commented on our good work” said Mr Birrell. Legacy itself recently celebrated 67 years in Europe and it is our plan to continue our work here. We are extremely grateful for the support of all at Australia House, and look forward to our continued collaboration” he added.
London Legacy will be represented at the ANZAC Day services this year. Please show your support by buying a pin or donating to one of our volunteers in London.
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Legatee, President Lindsay Birrell being introduced to Her Majesty by His Excellency John Dauth LVO who is also the Patron of London Legacy.
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| | Legatee Steve Martin (HADS Aus House) and on his right Mrs Martin with Wendy Tritton PA on his left
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Australian tackles the London-Paris Cycle Tour to support Legacy
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6th July 2009
| Recently, Flight Lieutenant Leigh Wrighton-Jones, an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force currently studying a Masters Degree at Cranfield University in the UK, undertook one of the great cycle experiences in Europe, cycling from London to Paris from the 2nd to the 4th of July 2009.
Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones took on the challenge with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Legacy, a cause he feels passionate about.
Legacy is a voluntary organisation providing services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the death of a spouse or parent during or after their defence force service. Legacy currently cares for 120,000 widows and 1,900 children and dependants throughout Australia.
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| The ride was approximately 300 miles and passed through picturesque Kent countryside in the UK before crossing the Channel and continuing through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France, passing the famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt.
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Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones spent long days in the saddle and some strenuous hill-climbs, and admitted that the sight of the Eiffel Tower was a rewarding if not welcome experience, evoking a real sense of achievement for him, from both a personal point of view as well as the realisation of raising a significant amount of money for Legacy.
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Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones raised approximately £1,000, but is seeking further donations and any amount would be greatly appreciated.
To learn how you can support Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones for his ride, contact him directly at lwrightonjones@gmail.com
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Australia House hosts Annual London Legacy Reception
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June 2009
| His Excellency the Deputy High Commissioner for Australia Mr Adam McCarthy opened our Annual Reception with apologies from our Patron His Excellency The High Commissioner Mr John Dauth LVO who has supported London Legacy from the beginning of his term in office.
Mr McCarthy told of his association with Legacy in Australia and his willingness to support us wherever he can. He spoke of the wonderful band of widows we assist in the UK and the wider European States and the dedicated work of the Legatees who work totally in a volunteer spirit looking after their group of widows.
The main aim of the Annual Reception is to thank all the people and organisations who support London Legacy financially throughout the year but especially around ANZAC DAY. They are too many to single out but TNT Magazine through their TNT ANZAC BALL must get a special mention this year.
Mr McCarthy then closed his remarks and mixed with all present.
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HE Adam McCarthy Deputy High Commission for Australia opening our Annual Reception, Downer Room, Australia House. With President Legatee Lindsay Birrell on left.
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| | Group of Legatees, Widows, friends of London Legacy with Hon Secretary Legatee LIZ O'BRIEN (in the wheelchair) being thanked for organising the Reception.
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