Australian Veteran Advocacy

What is Legacy Week?

Melbourne Legacy Legacy Week is an annual national fundraising and awareness campaign held across Australia to support the families of veterans who have given their lives or health in service to the nation.

Held each September in the lead-up to Legacy Day and Father’s Day, Legacy Week encourages Australians to recognise the sacrifices made not only by veterans, but also by their partners, children and loved ones who continue to live with the impact of military service.

For more than 100 years, Legacy has provided practical and emotional support to veterans’ families, helping them navigate grief, financial hardship, social isolation and the ongoing challenges that can follow military service. Legacy Week plays a vital role in ensuring these services continue for future generations.

Originally known as the War Orphans Appeal, the campaign began after the Second World War as Legacy responded to the growing number of widows and children needing care and support. What started as a simple badge drive evolved into one of Australia’s most recognised community fundraising traditions.

The timing of Legacy Week around Father’s Day carries deep meaning. While many Australians celebrate with their fathers, Legacy Week serves as a reminder of the thousands of children who grew up without theirs because of war service. It reflects the enduring promise made by veterans to look after the families of their fallen mates.

Legacy Week exists to raise both funds and awareness for the ongoing support of veterans’ families across Australia.

Funds raised during Legacy Week help deliver a wide range of services, including:

• Education support for children and young people
• Wellbeing and mental health programs
• Social connection activities and mentoring
• Financial assistance for families in need
• Camps and school holiday programs
• Community support for widows and dependants

Importantly, Legacy Week also encourages Australians to reflect on the lasting impact of military service. While much attention is rightly given to veterans themselves, Legacy Week highlights the families who stand beside them and the challenges they may face when a loved one is injured, becomes ill, or dies as a result of service.

Why Legacy Week Still Matters Today

Although Legacy was established after World War I, its mission remains deeply relevant today.

Modern veterans and their families can experience a range of challenges connected to service, including physical injury, mental health impacts, grief, financial stress and social disconnection. The effects of military service often continue long after active duty ends and can affect entire families across generations.

Legacy Week reminds Australians that supporting veterans’ families is an ongoing responsibility shared by the wider community. Donations and community participation help ensure families continue to receive compassionate, practical and long-term care when they need it most.

The Meaning Behind the Legacy Badge

One of the most recognisable symbols of Legacy Week is the Legacy badge.

Purchasing and wearing a Legacy badge is a simple but meaningful way for Australians to show support for veterans’ families while contributing directly to Legacy’s work. Volunteers distribute badges throughout Legacy Week in shopping centres, workplaces, schools and community spaces across the country.

Some of the earliest Legacy Torch Badges were crafted in 9ct gold, and today many remain treasured collector’s items. Over the decades, the badge has become a symbol of remembrance, community support and the enduring Legacy promise.

Community Involvement During Legacy Week

Community participation has always been central to the success of Legacy Week.

Across Victoria and the rest of Australia, schools, workplaces, volunteers, sporting clubs, businesses and community organisations come together to support fundraising and awareness efforts.

Activities during Legacy Week may include:

• Purchasing a Legacy badge
• Making a donation to support veterans’ families
• Hosting workplace or school fundraising activities
• Organising morning teas or community events
• Volunteering during badge-selling campaigns
• Sharing Legacy Week messages on social media

These collective efforts help strengthen community connections while honouring the spirit of service, compassion and mateship that defines Legacy.

Legacy Week features a wide range of fundraising and awareness activities across Melbourne, Victoria and the broader Australian community.

Badge Drives and Street Collections

The sale of Legacy badges remains one of the most recognised traditions of Legacy Week. Volunteers can often be found at train stations, shopping centres, schools and workplaces encouraging Australians to purchase a badge and show their support.

Workplace and Corporate Fundraising

Businesses regularly participate through fundraising lunches, morning teas, employee giving programs and donation drives. Corporate involvement helps raise awareness while directly supporting veterans’ families.

School Participation and Awareness Programs

Schools play an important role by teaching students about service, sacrifice and community responsibility. Many schools host fundraising activities and badge-selling initiatives during Legacy Week.

Community Events and Local Gatherings

Sporting clubs, local organisations and community groups also host events throughout the week, reinforcing the message that supporting veterans’ families is a shared responsibility.

Funds raised during Legacy Week directly support the long-term wellbeing of veterans’ families across Victoria and Australia.

For many families, the impact of military service continues long after service ends. Legacy provides practical and emotional support designed to help families remain connected, resilient and supported through every stage of life.

Across Victoria, Melbourne Legacy delivers services tailored to the individual needs of widows, children and dependants, ensuring no family faces hardship alone.

Importantly, Legacy Week is not only about fundraising — it is also about recognition. It reminds Australians that the sacrifice of military service is carried not only by veterans, but also by the families who support them.

By buying a badge, making a donation, attending an event or volunteering, Australians help continue the promise that no veteran family will ever be left behind.

This Legacy Week 2026, stand alongside veterans’ families and support the important work of Melbourne Legacy.