ABOUT LEGACY

The concept, which is uniquely Australian, was borne out of the vision of a Tasmanian, General Sir John Gellibrand (Australian Army) when he founded the Remembrance Club in Hobart in 1923. The purpose of this Club was to enable Returned Servicemen to assist and encourage other returned servicemen in business.

In 1925 the members of these Clubs began to examine the fortunes of the children of deceased servicemen and as a consequence Legacy Australia was born and has grown to an organisation caring for 134,000 widows and 1,900 children.

WA POLICE LEGACY HISTORY

In 1971 Queensland Police under the stewardship of the late Inspector F.E. Atwood M.B.E undertook a similar commitment to the survivors and families of the Queensland Police Force and formed The Queensland Police Legacy Scheme.                           

New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia Police Officers have since followed in foot steps of these visionaries and established a Police Legacy in each of those States.                           

The Western Australian Police Legacy Incorporated was established in 1992. It was the joint initiative of the Western Australian Police Union of Workers and the Western Australia Police.                           

To enable the establishment of Western Australian Police Legacy the WA Police assigned a full time Police Officer to the position. The Legacy was Incorporated and moved away from the Police Union to set up an office and administration in its own rite.                           

A Board was established allowing for eight elected serving members and representation from the Commissioner of Police, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, WA Police Widows Guild, WA Police Union of Workers and the WA Police Retired Officers Association.                           

In May 2002 the management of the WA Police Union of Workers in consultation with the Commissioner of Police and the Board of WA Police Legacy Inc decided to undertake a complete restructure of the organisation.                           

The position of Welfare Officer was created within the staffing strength of the WA Police Union and responsibility for management of the Legacy was written into the roles and responsibilities of that position. The full time Constable position was returned to the operational strength of the Police Service and the WA Police Union and WA Police Legacy funded the position. In 2007 this arrangement changed again moving away from the W.A.Police Union and setting up office back within the footprint of WA Police accommodation.                          

There are currently 288 widows, 2 widowers and 41 children under 20 years of age being supported by WA Police Legacy.                           

The office is situated at 4th Floor, 573 Hay Street, Perth.

Contact can be made through the office by telephoning (08) 92687730   Facsimile (08) 9268 7744

or mail to  Post Office Box 87, Victoria Park 6979.