House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-05-04 Daily Xml

Contents

Legacy Centenary Torch Relay

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:21): Today, I would like to talk about the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay. Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill is now in the countdown stage for the forthcoming Legacy Centenary Torch Relay leg in our state. This torch relay is designed to remind us all of how Legacy continues to support the families of veterans who gave their lives or health in the line of service.

It began its journey on 23 April in Pozieres in France, travelling on to Menin Gate in Belgium and on to London, where it was welcomed by His Majesty King Charles III prior to its first leg in Albany, Western Australia, during this week. The overall journey for the torch relay will include satellite stops at all 45 Legacy clubs around Australia, culminating in Melbourne in October 2023.

I am excited by the role South Australia will play in the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through four specific events over three days. We are pleased to be able to welcome the torch to South Australia at a site visit to the Edinburgh defence base on 11 May. Our defence hosts will welcome over 200 guests to enjoy a triservice display of assets and a morning tea, all capped off with a quick bus tour of the base.

Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, will officially open the torch relay, coinciding with a Royal Australian Air Force fly-past at 9am on 12 May at Keswick Barracks and lead the way as its first torchbearer. The relay will weave its way through our city Parklands, carried to the Adelaide Town Hall by the Deputy Premier for its welcome to Adelaide by the Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM. It will then be carried down Rundle Mall by me accompanied by Mr Rob Eley CSC, President of Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill, and the Australian Army Band Adelaide.

The torch will then continue through the Parklands for the laying of a wreath by the Leader of the Opposition at the Cross of Sacrifice and on to the lighting of the cauldron by Legacy Chairman the Hon. Graham Ingerson, our former Deputy Premier and a ward of Legacy during his youth, at the final service at the National War Memorial. Invited guests will then make their way to Government House for a reception hosted by the Governor of South Australia, who will officially acknowledge the centenary of Legacy in Australia and its relevance to our South Australian club, for which she is the patron.

Saturday the 13th brings a fun community day event for the broader defence community in South Australia at Torrens Parade Ground. With a range of defence and industry displays, lots of fun family activities, a barbecue and lots of other food on offer, guests will be entertained by the fantastic Navy rock band. The Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill have asked me to pass on an invite to all who would like to attend this free event, running from 10am to 2pm.

The member for Hammond and I recently attended the unveiling of the new Legacy offices at the Torrens Parade Ground, and I can assure members in this house that this fine organisation, so ably led by its CEO, Ms Kerryn Smith, is well and truly living up to its promise, made 100 years ago, to help veterans' families carry on with their lives after the loss of or injury to their loved ones.

I commend the Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill for what it has done, and I wish this organisation wellbeing for the next 100 years.