Vietnam veteran Ian Summers, 75 of Mulwala will lead the local Legacy Group as president over the next two years.
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Presidential roles are not new to Legatee Summers who is currently serving his third year as president of the Yarrawonga-Mulwala RSL sub branch.
Ian Summers was nominated as the next president of Cobram/Yarrawonga Legacy Group for a two year term by the Group nominating panel and which was forwarded to Melbourne Legacy for approval.
Legatee Summers was installed as president by the president of Melbourne Legacy Hugh Roberton at the 69th changeover dinner of the Cobram/Yarrawonga Legacy Group at Club Mulwala on 29th February attended by 50 Legatees and guests.
Legatee Roberton handed to Legatee Summers the Charter of Legacy and the Code of Legacy. “I charge you to honour them and keep fair the name of Legacy.”
The new president said he felt honoured to be installed as president of this great Legacy Group, and was looking forward to the challenge. He would be guided by the wealth of knowledge and experience of the Group’s long serving members.
Ian thanked the many organisations, businesses and people who continue to support Legacy and extended special thanks to Club Mulwala for its ongoing support and superb catering for the changeover dinner.
Legatee Hugh Roberton, the president of Melbourne Legacy was born in Auckland, New Zealand; a dual citizen. Training – 1967 Graduated from University of Melbourne Medical School, 1974 Fellowship Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, 1976 Fellowship Royal College of Surgeons of England. Appointments – Surgical Training, Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne and Plymouth General Hospital, Devon, UK, 1977 – 1981 Assistant Surgeon Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne 1977-2012 In practice NW suburbs of Melbourne 2012 retired. Military Service – 1969 – 1971 National Service, RAAMC. Operational Service – 1969- 1970 South Vietnam (5RAR/1AFH). Community Service 1977 – St Aidan’s Anglican Church Strathmore ---Various 1987 – 1999 Group Leader then District Commissioner Scouts Australia 2002 Legacy Club of Melbourne North West Branch 2018 President Legacy Club of Melbourne.
Legatee Roberton said he was very impressed with the work of the Cobram/Yarrawonga Group and commended the Group on the way it looks after its widows and the personal contact and interest Legatees have with them.
He said that issues relating to proposed changes to the rules and constitution are at present being debated by Melbourne Legacy.
Legacy’s Melbourne offices on the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale Street now have a “virtual” receptionist for telephone calls that will guide the caller to the department wanted.
“The Centenary of Legacy is coming up – 2023 and Melbourne Legacy is working on special celebrations for this significant event” Legatee Roberton said.
124 Widows
2020 marks 71 years of caring for war widows by the Cobram/Yarrawonga Legacy Group which at present has 124 widows under its care. The Group has 20 Legatees including one reserve member.
Legacy is an independent, voluntary organisation dedicated to the welfare of the widows, children and disabled dependents of those who gave their lives on active service or died subsequently.
Legacy was founded in 1923 by a small group of World War I veterans who believed they had to accept a legacy of responsibility for the welfare of the wives and children of their comrades who were killed in the war or died subsequently.
Legacy draws its strength from the tradition of voluntary service, caring and comradeship which has now been established for 97 years.
Over the years Legacy has extended its services to veterans of subsequent conflicts, including peacekeeping operations.
Legacy now assists the dependants of members of the Australian Defence Force, both regular and reserve, who lose their lives on hazardous service or in training for war.
Legacy’s income is not Government – based and it must rely on the generosity of the community for financial support.
Legatee Ian Summers introduced the executive for 2020.
Immediate Past President: Robert Flack, Vice-President: Brian Bouchier, Secretary/Contact Secretary: Brian Cossar, Treasurer: Desmond O’Meara, Pensions Officer: Ian Summers, Widows’ Clubs Liaison Officers: Yarrawonga, Deb Beverley, Cobram Butch Tennant. Hon. Auditor: Belmore Partners, Chartered Accountants, Yarrawonga.
Report
Legatee Robert Flack of Tocumwal who has just completed two years as Group President reported on a busy year.
We closed last year with a strong effort, particularly focused on making sure our widows received our help in all areas. There were many outings, bus trips and lunches, not to mention the annual Christmas bag of goodies which are always welcomed with open arms.
I would like to thank all Legatees who helped on these occasions.
Our fundraising has seen another good year: from Badge selling to our golf Days, especially the Cobram day which just gets better every year. Thanks to Legatee Butch Tennant, and his wonderful team.
Included also is a thank you to our Treasurer, Legatee Des O’Meara, another year of frugal bookkeeping and ensuring we keep our fiscal matters in hand.
To Legatee Brian Cossar, our Secretary, who – thankfully – never misses a beat. You have made it so very easy for me during my term.
Our Vice President and Welfare Officer, Legatee Ian Summers, for his work, no query or question goes unanswered or unchecked. Thank you.
And, of course, a special thanks to the Widow’s Liaison Officers, Legatee Butch Tennant and Legatee Deb Beverly for their wonderful co-ordination efforts with the Widows Groups.
Finally, my sincere and warm thanks to each and every Legatee for the privilege of allowing me to be President of such a wonderful group of volunteers, a special group who have no qualms about freely giving their time and their energies. Your energies have made it easy for me over the last two years. Thank you.
The Legacy Group acknowledged the support of everyone who gives so willingly to Legacy including Yarrawonga Mulwala and Cobram RSL Sub-Branches. Barooga Sports Club and Golf Club, Club Mulwala, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mogg Osborne Accountants, Cobram Panel Works, and RACV, Belmore Partners Accountants, Yarrawonga Chronicle.