The group was formed on May 14, 1949 at the Cobram Hotel, where 10 Legatees were inducted into Legacy by Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige.
In 1958, the Yarrawonga branch joined Cobram, becoming the Cobram-Yarrawonga Legacy group.
Des O’Dwyer was the first chairman of the Cobram Legacy Group, and he, along with Clem Basset-Smith, were World War I veterans.
The Legacy Group helps the wives and families of ex-servicemen who have passed away, providing both personal and financial support.
Cobram-Yarrawonga Legacy Group president Leon West has been a member of the club for 10 years, and joined after hearing a news story on the radio.
“I was driving home from Melbourne one day and there was someone from Legacy being interviewed on the ABC, and I knew of Legacy, but I didn't know anything about it,” he said.
“This fellow explained how Legacy started and what they did, and I thought, ‘that’s a good organisation’ and joined shortly after that.”
Leon said they currently have eight Legatees and 60 ladies, and organised many events for them, including Christmas in July and a regular lunch.
“We get tremendous support from Club Mulwala, the RSL Club, Yarrawonga Golf Club and Cobram-Barooga Golf Club,” he said.
“For my part, it is a privilege to be a Legatee, caring for our widows and honouring the spirit of Legacy.”
Legatee John West was acknowledged for 25 years of service to the Cobram-Yarrawonga Legacy Group at the annual meeting on Thursday, March 12.
“I was asked by a Legatee to join the group shortly after my father had passed away,” John said.
“He was in the Air Force during World War II and I have six sons, three of them who were in the defence forces — one still is.”
John said the past 25 years had gone by “very fast”, but reflected fondly on his work with the Legacy Group.
“It’s been rewarding being associated with them and rewarding being able to help the Legacy ladies,” he said.
Legacy Week is held every year to raise funds for defence officers who lost their lives or health in service to the nation.
Legacy Week this year is from August 30 to September 4 — keep an eye out for Legatees outside the local supermarket and donate if you can.
The 10 Legatees inducted in 1949:
Kevin Lonergan
Jack Radcliffe
Murray Pullar
Clem Basset-Smith
Tom Grigg
Jack Dunne
Ken Evans
Des O’Dwyer
Alan McCallum
Ted Forrest
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