The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, officially reaches Queensland on 24 May as part of its Australian journey to commemorate Legacy’s Centenary.  

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health began its journey in Pozières France on 23 April, with an official Opening Ceremony, then travelled to Menin Gate, Belgium and onto London before arriving in Australia where it will undertake its six-month journey visiting all Legacy Club locations around the country, before culminating in Melbourne.

The first Queensland relay will be in Cairns on Wednesday 24 May at 8:30am, commencing from the Tobruk Memorial Pool. The flame will travel over 90km throughout the state, with relays in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Gold Coast.

Featuring 275 torch bearers in total including Legacy beneficiaries, Legatees and Defence Personnel, torch bearers of note include Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, Charles M Wright AM, former chairman of Legacy Australia and past president of Legacy Sydney, Bryce Rogers OAM, Colonel David Lynch CSC , Legatee Mal McCullough, President Legacy Far North Queensland, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Victoria Cross recipients Keith Payne and Daniel Keighran and Adrian Schrinner Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

The Legacy Centenary Townsville Community Day on 27 May brought to you by Lockheed Martin at Jezzine Barracks is an opportunity to connect members of the public and those associated with Defence to Legacy. The military and wider community are all invited to this free family fun day with live entertainment, market stalls, activations to celebrate the relay and commemorate Legacy’s Centenary and its 100 years of supporting veteran’s families.

During the Centenary tour, the torch will travel 50,000 kilometres, with 100 stops over 75 days, and be carried by 1300 Torch Bearers, all with a personal connection to Legacy Australia.

Eric Easterbrook OAM, Chairman of Legacy Australia, says “The torch relay is a fitting commemoration of a century of service. Over the decades, Legacy has had a significant impact on many spouses, partners and children of veterans in the state of Queensland. From Cairns to the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, we hope this relay will raise awareness of the important work Legacy does across the sunshine state in supporting our veterans’ families.”

Legacy Australia has been supporting Veteran’s families since 1923 and was founded on a Promise made from one digger to another. Today, Legacy supports over 40,000 partners and children of veterans’ who put their health and lives on the line for our country.

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