GENERAL INFORMATION:

In Tasmania, Legacy provides state-wide service to the widows and children of returned ex-servicemen through two clubs, located in Hobart and Launceston. Both clubs sponsor Groups in the other cities and major towns and co-ordinate the work of individual Legatees in the more remote districts. The two Clubs have a parallel operation, each caring for more than 2,000 beneficiaries, with a membership of about 80 volunteers.

Our assistance: The priority is in providing a "safety net" of advice, counselling and welfare for families of deceased ex-servicemen. Another important area of assistance is in providing avenues of fellowship for widows, who are commonly aged in their 80s and sometimes with few other options of social contact. Widows' Clubs are centralised in Hobart and Launceston, but separate Widows' Club Branches meet regularly in the other major population centres.

Funding: The Clubs need to raise a total of $250,000 a year to maintain present levels of assistance. The most important levels of help are considered to be emergency financial assistance to widows and maximising the educational and self-development opportunities for children.

The money is raised principally through Certificate of Support programmes, the sale of Legacy Puddings, and the annual Legacy Week Badge Day in September. Support from businesses, once the cornerstone of Legacy operations, has declined markedly over recent decades. Fortunately, that has been somewhat compensated by increasingly loyal support from the public through donations and the purchase of puddings.

Although beneficiaries will normally contact their Legatee when in need of advice or assistance, the two Clubs each employ a full time staff member to ensure a point of contact for Legacy services through business hours.

The future: The two Clubs constantly keep under review the need to continue. The greatest challenges are in fund raising and maintaining a strong membership of volunteers. The median age of members in Tasmania is 70 years, which provides an excellent depth of professional skills and experience for advising and helping families, but a shortfall in physical ability to contribute to such fund-raising tasks as selling badges and puddings. In this respect, the two Clubs are reliant and appreciative of help given by RSL Sub-Branches, golf and bowls clubs, cadet units and school children.

The people: a Board of Management chaired by the President, Legatee Jim Stewart, administers Hobart Legacy. The Secretary is Legatee Ken Butler. The Board meets on the third Tuesday each month. Separate Committees meet to administer matters such as pensions advice, welfare and fund-raising. An average of 35 Legatees attends weekly meetings at Legacy House.

Meetings: Launceston Legacy's Board of Management meets twice monthly, on the second and fourth Tuesday, and is chaired by the President Legatee Russell Watson. General meetings of members are held at Legacy House, 59 York Street, each Tuesday. Annual Reports of the Clubs and a yearly "Profile" brochure are available on request.

LEGACY JUNIOR PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARDS- REGIONAL & STATE ARRANGEMENTS

BACKGROUND

The competition has been endorsed and supported by the Department of Education and the Arts in Tasmania since its entry into the National competition in 1996.

GENERAL

The Regional and State Competitions will be held using the same operational charter as the National Competition.

An Entry Form and Interview Information sheet is attached as Annex A, and Annex B respectively and are to be completed by each competitor and returned to Hobart Legacy by the due date indicated on the entry form.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

Entry requirements are as indicated in the LJPSA National Guidelines and Procedures and to be eligible to enter this years competition students must be aged 12 or above, but under 15 years of age on 1st January in the year of the competition.

VENUE AND TIMINGS

Detailed venue locations and timings for Regional semi-finals, will be advised after finalisation of nominations from participating schools.   It is proposed to hold Regional semi-finals on the following dates:

Area Dates Location
Hobart 2nd Wednesday,August  Legacy House, Hobart
Hobart 3rd Wednesday, August  Legacy House, Hobart (if req)
Launceston 1st Friday, August  Legacy House, Launceston
Launceston 2nd Friday, August  Legacy House, Launceston (if req)
 
Competitors are reminded that they are expected to dress in their school uniform or in an appropriate manner if a uniform is not part of a school's requirement.

Placegetters from each Regional semi-final will be invited to compete at the State final, which will be held on 1st Wednesday, October each year alternating between at Legacy House, Hobart and Launceston.

Placegetters (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will be selected at the State final.  The winner and runner-up will represent Tasmania at the National final at Legacy’s expense.  It is planned to hold the National final on the nearest Monday,  to Remembrance Day November 11 each year. Location will be advised annually.

In the event of either of the nominated finalists being unable to attend, the 3rd placegetter will be invited to compete at the National Final.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Where necessary, travel and accommodation to the State final, for competitors and a Parent/Guardian, will be provided by Legacy.

Travel to Regional semi-finals is to be at the cost of competitors or, if necessary, as arranged by Legacy. 

No other financial assistance will be available.

PRIZES

All Regional semi-finalists will receive a certificate to indicate their participation.

State finalists will receive a Certificate and a medallion.  A cheque for $200, $100 and $70 will also be awarded respectively for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters.

PUBLICITY

It is anticipated that the competition will generate publicity for all Schools involved and Legacy.  Legacy will provide press releases to local media in relation to the competition.

SPONSORSHIP

The Organising Committees of the Regional and State Finals are pleased to acknowledge the assistance gratefully provided by Birchalls Bookshops Tasmania and the members of Hobart Legacy, without whose financial assistance it would not be possible to conduct this competition.

LJPSA TASMANIAN GUIDELINES

For more information on state LJPSA details click here to access the Guidelines for Tasmania.