To celebrate its arrival, there will be a grand event featuring a symbolic torch lighting ceremony presented to Mayor Bilal El-Hayek followed by a reception.
The event aims to raise awareness about Legacy’s mission and honour the sacrifices made by veterans’ families over the last 100 years.
Helping support the event, Bankstown Legacy features a number of Legatees, such as Christine Kingston, who the organisation assisted over the years after their fathers passed away.
Christine’s Dad served in WW2 and got a double dose of malaria.
He died at 42 leaving her mum with four children and pregnant with her.
“Mum was renting and they wanted to pull the building down,” Christine said.
“Legacy helped her get a mortgage as women weren’t able to get a mortgage on their own in the 1950s.
“Legacy didn’t give her money but liaised with the bank and mum worked until 70 to pay off the house.
“Our male Legatee became a role model for my brothers in the absence of Dad and arranged physical culture classes for my sister and I which was a godsend for mum as the others attending were in the same boat so it was a kind of counselling support; she was able to share her hopes and fears with the other mums.”
When Christine retired, she wanted to give back and became a Legatee.
“I fundraise and support the war widows, many in their 80s and 90s, who are so delightful, I find it very rewarding,” she said.
