Morning Tea to Recognise New Legacy Torch Members

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Kaye and myself, it is my great pleasure to welcome Legacy back to Government House.

And we extend a special welcome to the newest members of the Legacy Torch Society, in whose honour we are gathered this morning.

It is highly appropriate that we hold this function on the cusp of the festive season, because I can think of no organization that better embodies the spirit of fellowship and goodwill to all than Legacy.

And in the spirit of the season, we truly have much to celebrate, because the members of the Torch Society are one of the guarantors of a secure future for Legacy.

More importantly, the Torch Society helps to guarantee a secure future for the families of our servicemen and women if the worst does come to pass.

Back in July, Kaye and I were in France to mark the Centenary of the War on the Western Front.

As we contemplated the thousands of names on the memorials, came the somber thought that behind them, back home, were thousands upon thousands of widows and orphans.

It was their plight which inspired the creation of Legacy in 1925.

On our pilgrimage to those battlefields, representing our fellow Queenslanders, we were privileged to be joined by a number of young people supported by Legacy Brisbane.

They were confident and articulate, respectful of the past and focused on creating a better future for Australia.

They embodied the noble purpose of Legacy.

As the newest members of the Torch Society, you have joined this noble purpose.

Your generosity will support the families of our servicemen and women, so that if the worst happens, the best people will be by their side – to help, to comfort, to serve and to support those who are left behind.

I hope you will wear the beautifully designed brooch you will shortly be presented with today, with pride.

And I hope that when others ask you about them, that you will let them know about what Legacy is – and does – for the families of those who wear our uniform and serve in our name.

As Patron of Legacy Brisbane, it is my honour to thank you most sincerely for your support of Legacy, and to offer you the hospitality of Queensland’s Government House.