Empower Embraces 2020 Legacy Week

Mary Burne receiving her Legacy Week bear

Giving Back To The Community

During 2020 Legacy Week, running from 30 Aug – 5 Sep, we are handing out 100 Legacy Week bears to Aged Care residents, Home Care & NDIS clients that have a connection with Australia’s defence force services. Clients were also given the bears in recognition for their dedication and focus in achieving their health goals.

Empower Healthcare is a proud partner of Legacy Week in recognition of the thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel that have been playing an important role in supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19.

This partnership is very important to us as we have over 100 health workers engaged in delivering essential aged care and community healthcare services to vulnerable Australians nation-wide during a public health crisis that presents numerous challenges.

Scroll through our gallery of client stories on their appreciation of Legacy’s support to their families.

The benefits of Hydrotherapy

What is hydrotherapy? Hydrotherapy is a type of Physiotherapy exercise that is conducted in water but does not require swimming ability. The warm water helps to reduce pain, improve mobility and provide gentle resistance to strengthen while a physiotherapist is in the water providing personalised instruction and facilitation. How is...

Mary Burne

“Mary volunteered to help Legacy as she was frequently moving from place to place because of her husband’s work. Finding herself in a new state with no friends, she thought it would be a wonderful idea to join a charity like Legacy and she was very glad that she did,...

Donald Peckham

“We were stationed on Penang Island and we would go out on patrols. Usually there were a couple of us and we would be driving Jeeps through the jungle. Our first patrol out was uneventful, but as we were getting back to base there was a loud bang and the...

Richard Woodhouse

“My father was in the army, but he never liked to talk about it much. I think he was embarrassed by it. When I was 14 or 15 I asked him ‘Dad, have you ever killed anyone?’ and he looked at me and said ‘Unfortunately, I have son, they were...

Betty Moylan

“Betty’s husband was in the navy and very grateful for receiving a Legacy Week bear”

Ern and Betty Carter

“Ern was drafted into the Air Force and his wife Betty has always been his biggest supporter. Ern mentioned that just like everything else of importance in his life, he has entrusted Betty with his Legacy Bear. “

Jack Lance

“Jack proudly served in the Navy in WWII. He reckons the uniform of his Legacy Bear is pretty accurate. He has named his bear ‘Sailor Jack’. He is aware of Legacy and all the wonderful things they have done to support people like him and his family.”

Shirley Caldow

“My husband was in the Australian Army and I was contacted by Legacy after his passing. I have been a big supporter of Legacy ever since. I used to buy a Legacy Badge every year for Legacy Week and now reminds my daughter to do the same. I had heard...

Alberdina Kickert

“Alberdina received a bear in recognition of her dedication towards her therapy sessions. She sees a therapist three times a week and has multiple pain sites, but that does not stop her from doing her exercises, daily walks and most daily tasks on her own or with help from her...

Lyle Collins

“Lyle was given a bear to help lift his spirits. Lyle is always very motivated with his therapy exercises, is dedicated to completing them and very appreciative of our physio work.”

Connie Van Leuverden

“My husband served in the Navy! He was on a ship that sailed to help defend South Korea during the Korean War. Fortunately, he already knew how to swim before joining!, Thank you to all for organising this and helping Legacy support those who sacrificed so much for the greater...

Jacqueline Dettmen

“Jaqueline is photographed with a picture of her husband who fought for the Australian Air Force in World War 2. She has been a member of Legacy since he passed away many years ago.”

Gary Aspinall

“I served as a Lieutenant on submarines during the Vietnam war and was even able to spend a few months with the American force patrolling. I have great a great respect for Legacy and the support they give to service men and families, I am very proud of the time I...

Dorothy Moore

“My husband served in the Air force as a Warrant Officer. We lived together in Wagga Wagga whilst he was undergoing training. He was later deployed to Darwin and spent some time in Papa New Guinea.”

Frank West

“I served in the Navy and turned 18 whilst in Papa New Guinea. In 1942 I was seconded to the Coast Watchers an Allied Military intelligence operation. As part of this operation, I served as part of the communications team that corresponded back and forth with ‘coast watchers’ behind enemy...

Ana Marie Cather

“My husband served in the air force for 50 years. He spent many years deployed in Malaysia and was fortunate that he did not see any combat . I went a lived on base with him in Malaysia for four years.”

Shirley McKechnie

“Widowed to an Air Force Pilot, Shirley’s husband joined the air force as soon as he turned 18. He never was deployed as part of the surrender treaty for WW2 as it had been been signed on the exact same day he had finished his training. Instead he flew around...

Miriam Jagger

” My husband served in the army as a gunner in WWII. He signed up day 1 of the war and served until the treaty papers were signed. He was deployed to the Middle East as part of the Second 12th Australian Field Regiment 9th Division. They fought the German...

Ron Appleton

“I was deployed to Papa New Guinea and served as a Wing Air Gunner for 4 years. It took great courage to sit at the back of the plane on those big guns.”

Edna Field

” My husband served in the Army during WWII. He was deployed to Papa New Guinea. He worked in transport until he was injured quite badly and shipped home.”

Robert Mullens

“My father served in Guinea and Solomon Islands during WWII. My mother and our family received tremendous support from Legacy and I am grateful for them.”

Patricia Adams

“I am very pleased with Legacy and my whole family was well looked after during the war time. My dad served in France during WWI. My brother served in Korea during WWII. My nephew served during the Vietnam war. They are a terrific organisation!”

Kathleen Mytton

“I am truly grateful for Legacy and their amazing support. I was given a 50% scholarship for my schooling, which provided me with an additional year in my study.  My father was a warrant officer serving in Egypt and Libya. My brother was a coast watcher up in Darwin and...

Roger McKeown

“I served in the Waiouru army based in NZ in the 60s. I have known about Legacy and I think they are amazing! It is nice knowing that there is a volunteer-based organisation providing ongoing support for the veterans and their family.”

Tony Pauley

“I have known Legacy for a long time as so many of my friends have been helped and supported by Legacy. I would be very keen to support the campaign in any form as it is for a really good cause.”