Historical

(a) GENERAL:

The Remembrance Club of Hobart, founded by the late Major-General Sir John Gellibrand about 1922 was the inspiration of the Legacy movement on the mainland.

The Legacy Club of Melbourne was formed in 1923.

(b) HAMILTON & DISTRICT LEGACY INC.:

Early in 1946, W. M. (Don) Melville, who had then recently settled in Hamilton after the 1939-45 war, made contact with Ararat Legacy and offered his services in any capacity approved of to assist the work of Legacy in Hamilton and the district west of Hamilton, which then came within the area under the control of Ararat Legacy Club.

Melville’s offer was accepted and he was requested to enlist the aid of Evan Watson (Coleraine) and R. Chapman (Hamilton), both prominent in R.S.S. & A.I.L.A. circles in making a survey of families who were eligible for Legacy aid and assistance.

This survey, promptly made, revealed a considerable number of families whose names were unknown to Ararat Legacy and in order to minister to their care, Ararat Legacy requested Melville to nominate further suitable returned servicemen to assist in acting as contactors for the Ararat Club.

Dr. K. F. O’Donnell, W. Langham Proud and H. L. McCurdy were so nominated and they, along with Don Melville, Evan Watson and R. Chapman, were appointed as contactors and on the first day of May, 1947 were admitted to full membership of Ararat Legacy Club.

Stewart Malseed was also admitted as a member of Ararat Legacy on 3rd July, 1947.

The Legacy responsibilities in this district, which is now administered by Hamilton & District Legacy, continued to grow rapidly and in August, 1947, Legatee Melville suggested that Ararat Legacy should hold its next monthly meeting at done in Hamilton with a view to considering whether the work being done in the Hamilton district did not warrant the establishment of a new Legacy Club to be known as Hamilton Legacy.

Ararat Legacy duly met in Hamilton on the 6th day of September, 1947, and decided unanimously to sponsor the formation of a Club to be known as Hamilton Legacy and in due course the issue of a Charter was approved.

The Hamilton members of Ararat Legacy then met and nominated the following to form with themselves the inaugural members of Hamilton Legacy:- R. W. S. Dart (Hamilton), B. F. Egan (Portland), E. K. Gray (Hamilton), J. H. Leishman (Hamilton), J. I. H. Murrell (Portland), J. W. Nash (Coleraine), J. F. Sugden (Hamilton), H. O. Young (Hamilton).

On 31st January, 1948, Legatee Duckworth, President of Ararat Legacy, initiated the above new members into the ranks of Hamilton Legacy and Legatee W. M. Melville (elected as the inaugural President) received from Legatee Edgar Sherwen (President of Melbourne Legacy) with Charter of Hamilton Legacy, granted by the Co-ordinating Council.

Hamilton Legacy was the twenty-seventh Legacy Club to be formed in Australia.

On 13th September, 1957, the Portland Group of Hamilton & District Legacy was inaugurated with Legatee W. Jenkin as first chairman and with Legatees R. I. Clayfield, T. P. Dufty, B. F. Egan, I. Murrell, W. Newitt, O. Parker, R. H. Sutton and A. O. Williams as Foundation Group Members.

In 1965 the widows’ club adopted the title of Laurel Club. They met monthly.

In August, 1964 the deaths of the Club’s Patron, Don Melville, and in July, 1965 Treasurer, Max Buchanan, were sadly recorded.

Legacy Lodge at Portland was completed and opened by Sir Charles McKay on January 25th, 1964.

The Lodge was built to:-

Provide camps for Legacy children.
Provide a holiday home for widows and families.
Hold meetings of Legacy.

Legacy House 1982 –

As we look back to 1982, in December, we purchased our present house and office. It was during Legatee J. H. Macdonald’s term as President for the second time. our Trustees being L’tees W Jenkin, K. Lewis, J. H. Macdonald, D. Maloney, F. Patterson.

The purchasing of the house meant that no longer did we have to move to rented premises, as there were no fewer than six venues from the time of our first Executive Officer Mrs Gibson in 1976.

Prior to 1976 L’tee Conveners and Secretary’s operated from their homes or business premises; Board Meetings were held courtesy “Board of Hamilton and District hospital” at the Hospital. General Meetings at various venues .

We have since had four permanent Executive Officers plus helpers from time to time. Permanents were Wendy McErvale, Lyn Lewis, Ione Stevenson, Caryl Spencer. Wendy Smith and Vicki Hollard assisted at different times. The House was dedicated on the morning of the 18th March 1984 by Canon Julian of the Anglican Church, L’tee Myd Lewis being President.

Melville Orton and Lewis voluntarily transferred documents, free of charge for purchase of the house.

The purchasing price was 22,500 Dollars for the building.

There was much to be done after purchase and the main working bee commenced 15th August 1988.

During 1999 the building was restumped and re-roofed and extensions were made to the main meeting room, kitchen upgrade was completed and Executive Officers room updated with new carpet throughout and new computer and photo-copier.

2003 saw Legacy House being used for the monthly meetings, with the meals being catered for. In 2007-08 saw the back of the building being pulled down and rebuilt completely, with extended kitchen area, new disabled toilets, Pension Officers room, and covered patio, making the house more user friendly for both Widows and Legatees.