From Legatee's Daughter to Case Manager 

The deep care and support of Melbourne Legacy spans generations for many Australian families and Melbourne Legacy Case Manager Kath De Bruin knows the profound impact of Legacy more than most. 

Kath’s late mother, Legatee Lyn Grace, was a dedicated Melbourne Legacy volunteer known as a Legatee. This special type of Legacy volunteer works directly with the families Legacy helps to provide support, community and friendship when they need it most - often spending hundreds of hours of their time in service to the cause. 

Lyn was introduced to Legacy for the first time after her father, a WW1 veteran was tragically killed in a car accident when she was six years old.

In the aftermath of the devastating incident, Kath’s grandmother, became a war widow while Lyn and her older sister lost their father. Their identities were reshaped in an instant, and the impact of his sudden absence was immeasurable. It was during this time the family found Melbourne Legacy.

Lyn pictured (left) with other fellow former Junior Legatees.

“Melbourne Legacy stepped in and offered the family much guidance and assistance. Mum remembered our family’s Legatee very fondly. He visited the family regularly to see if they needed anything, supported Mum’s education and helped secure Nan employment at the Taxation Department,” Kath says.

Lyn and her sister became known as Junior Legatees, the term used to identify the children of veterans who are supported by Legacy. Lyn met and connected with other young veteran kids who were experiencing similar loss. From 1952 she attended group outings involving dance, calisthenics, gymnastics and figure marching. Over time she found a special community with other Junior Legatees, and they bonded over the incredible support they had received from Melbourne Legacy.

Kath fondly recalls the long-lasting bonds formed between her Mum and her peers.

“From the early days at Market Street Girls’ Group and Melbourne Town Hall gatherings, the friendship and love between the girls Mum met as a child endured. They continued to meet regularly, and the lifelong friendships formed were one of the abiding joys of Mum’s life”

Meeting in the 1950s, one of these lifelong friendships started when Lyn was introduced to Joan Courtney. 

Lyn and Joan were fellow children of veterans Junior Legatees, often connecting through the various events and programs offered by Legacy when they were children. In 1991, Legacy approached the two women to become volunteer members known as Legatees. They happily accepted, delighted to give back to an organisation that had supported them and their families for so long. Lyn and Joan’s dedication to caring for the Legacy family was admirable, and the two served as the Chair and Secretary of the Bayside Branch of Legacy, reversing the roles each year, until Lyn stepped down and accepted an invitation to become a board member at Melbourne Legacy. 

Kath says the impact of Melbourne Legacy was life changing for Lyn, and as a Legatee she worked tirelessly to ensure other families received the same support she and her family did.

“Service is what it is, giving back,” reflects Kath. “Mum got a lot of joy out of it, and she did everything. She sold badges. She was really wonderful. Most of the Legatees are the same, they don’t talk or boast about helping people. It’s part of the spirit of service and it’s part of that stoicism. I don’t boast about what I do, I just do it.”

Lyn sadly passed away in 2021 and Kath was left to reflect on the wonderful impact her Mum had, not just on her and her sister, but on the countless Legacy beneficiaries she helped to support.

Melbourne Legacy Case Managers Michelle (left), Kath (centre) and Zoe (right).

Kath, who had been a teacher for thirty-two years took some time off to grieve and think about her next steps. It was only when Kath saw a message from Joan about an opening for a Case Manager at Melbourne Legacy, that she realised where her skills of calm, caring rapport would be put to use at an organisation that had had such a profound impact on her family.

Melbourne Legacy welcomed Kath as a Case Manager two years ago, and Kath reflects on the remarkable opportunity to give back to the community.

“It’s my privilege and honour to continue Mum’s dedicated to Legacy in my role. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to honour my grandfather’s service and sacrifice, my grandmother’s struggles as a young widow and parent, and finally, Mum’s sincere dedicated, gratitude and service to Melbourne Legacy.”

“Mum would be so proud.”

Case Managers are the cornerstone of the modern Melbourne Legacy support service. They are experts in providing specialised care that meets the complex needs of families of veterans and ensure everyone who reaches out to Melbourne Legacy is supported every step of the way. Our Case Management team provide tailored support, taking the time to understand what each family needs.