Thursday, 11 April 2024
Sydney Legacy offices, Clarence St, Sydney
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather, I pay my respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to the Elders of all parts of our country for whom the land on which we gather represents a deep sense of connection and belonging.

• The Honourable David Harris MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong
• Mr Ian Thompson, President, Sydney Legacy
• Mr Michael Ducie, CEO, Sydney Legacy

A sense of connection and belonging is the essence of who we are as human beings.  The isolation of the COVID pandemic made me think more deeply about connection and belonging – and what I termed the re-emergence of the ‘village’ – where neighbours became helpmates and sometimes soulmates, and new coffee companions were found at the local, albeit at a distance of 1.5 metres. 

At the heart of any village are the people and the buildings, the gathering places and welcoming spaces for locals and newcomers alike. Today, with the Opening of these new premises, I was again thinking of the 'village' – this time what I might term the ‘Legacy Village’, where belonging, connection and care are the raison d’etre of an organisation. Born out of one mate promising to look after his fallen comrade’s ‘missus and kids’ – a promise which came to fruition a century ago when a small group of returned soldiers knew their ‘cobbers’, who didn’t come back from the battlefield, would want the village to look after their families.

Over that century, the families and the friends of Legacy have grown, needs have changed, and the organisational structures have evolved.  The move to these new premises is part of that growth and evolution. The internal architecture of these light and airy new premises responds to the needs of an organisation where a sense of openness and welcoming are at the essence of its work, whilst at the same time enabling organisational efficiency. 

Legacy at Clarence Street will operate as a central hub for Legatees, staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and supporters.  Finally, those days of tramping up and down the stairwell of AWA House are over, with Sydney Legacy, Legacy Club Services and Legacy Australia,^, all co-located here on one level, facilitating the expanded engagement between them.

We may be a long way from the trenches of the First World War where that single promise was made, but Legacy has never forgotten that promise. Which brings me to the true strength of Legacy – its people.  

Ian and Mike, Board members, the dependants of our Defence personnel who are here today, the families, staff, volunteers, supporters, donors, Legatees past and present - this building is new, the village is bigger and, most importantly, it will always be here as a beacon of strength, comfort and support for the families of our Defence personnel who serve our nation, as do their families.  

As Patron of Sydney Legacy, I am delighted to open these wonderful new Legacy premises.

To the next 100 years of Legacy … and beyond!