Legacy is a charity that supports the families of veterans of the Australian Armed Forces who have died or become incapacitated while on service, or subsequently. Legacy ran children’s homes across Australia. Legacy also referred widows and children to social services and to institutions. Sydney Legacy ran a number of Homes in New South Wales for children and students in need.
Legacy developed from the Remembrance Club, formed in Hobart after World War I, by returned servicemen who were concerned about the supports offered to men who had served overseas, and their families. The idea extended to Melbourne, and then to other Australian capital cities, establishing Legacy organisations to care for the families of deceased servicemen.
In New South Wales, Sydney Legacy ran a number of Homes: Glen Mervyn Legacy House in Randwick (for students aged 14-21 being educated in Sydney); Milne Legacy House in Strathfield; Kyle Williams Home in Blakehurst (a convalescent Home); James Archbold Memorial House in Roseville (for female students); and Fred and Ada Cull Legacy House in Ashfield (accommodating boys and young women studying for trade certificates).
As well as Homes for children and young people, Sydney Legacy ran Lady Gowrie Legacy House for widows of World War One servicemen. Legacy Holiday House in Moss Vale was “a haven for tired mothers” who could holiday there with or without their children. Cameron House in Goulburn was for widows and children to live while waiting for permanent accommodation of their own.
There was also Camp Cottage in Legacy Park, near the Narrabeen Lakes, where children came for holidays. A newspaper article from 1957 described the practice of city children being sent to rural districts as guests of Legacy Clubs, to gain “an insight into life on station and farm” (Cumberland Argus, 27 February 1957)..