LEGACY Australia is inviting people to apply to become centenary Torch Bearers and volunteers next year for The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 presented by Defence Health.

The concept of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, has been identified as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as Legacy commemorates its centenary year in 2023.

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The relay is a six-month campaign, with satellite events (relays), travelling from Pozieres France on ANZAC Day 2023, through to the city of London, before returning home to Australia, landing in Perth, Western Australia, in May 2023.

The relay will then continue its journey throughout local towns and cities across Australia, visiting all 45 Legacy Club locations, concluding in Melbourne in October 2023.

Legacy is hoping to attract 1500 torch bearers and 2000 volunteers.

The Torch will travel 55,000 kilometres, through 100 stops.

Legacy has its roots in a battlefield promise, from the trenches in Pozieres, on the Western Front in World War I.

It was a promise from a soldier to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and the kids”, one that has been revered since the first Legacy Club was established in Melbourne in 1923.

The symbol of Legacy is a torch that signifies the undying flame of service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country.

Once landing in Perth, the Centenary Torch will travel to Adelaide, South Australia, Darwin in the Northern Territory before reaching Queensland. The Torch will journey down the east coast through Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, before running down the streets of Brisbane.

Following this reception, the Centenary Torch will travel through places such as Toowoomba, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, before leaving the Sunshine State and venturing through regional New South Wales.

The NSW leg will include the localities of Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Alstonville, Grafton, Inverell, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Taree, Maitland, Newcastle, Point Frederick, Sydney, Wollongong, Goulburn, Orange, Forbes, Cowra, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Queanbeyan.

The Centenary Torch will arrive in Canberra for the National Legacy Week Launch in the last week of August 2023, before making its way down through the Garden State of Victoria.

The Victorian leg will start in Mildura, through to Horsham, Ararat, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Colac, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Mt Eliza before crossing Bass Strait towards Launceston and Hobart.

It will visit Ouse, the birthplace of Sir John Gellibrand before returning to Victoria to pay homage to the birthplace of Sir Stanley Savige and then run home down the main streets of Melbourne on Friday 13 October 2023.

Gerard Fogarty, Chief Executive Officer, Defence Health said ”the Legacy centenary holds great significance for Australia – and especially for the Defence community.

“Defence Health is committed to protecting the health of those who protect our country. I am proud that Defence Health can demonstrate our support for the Defence community in celebrating the centenary of the Legacy promise,” he said.

“We look forward to engaging with Legacy and the veteran community as the Torch Relay makes its way around Australia next year.”

Eric Easterbrook OAM, Chairman, Legacy Australia said “Legacy’s Centenary is an important commemoration for our nation.

“It recognises the sacrifice of so many families over the past century as well as the efforts of countless volunteers who have supported them throughout grief and hardship.

“The Legacy flame signifies the undying flame of service and sacrifice and this will be honoured and epitomised through our Centenary Torch Relay. I encourage anyone who has contributed to Legacy’s story to apply to be a torch bearer in this important event and carry the flame forward.”

Liliana Sanelli Executive Producer and Director of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 said, “It is a privileged opportunity to be able present this Legacy Centenary Torch Relay, and involve the community, pay respect to our Legacy Families and keeping the Legacy Torch and undying flame alive for our veterans families.”

To register to carry the torch or be a volunteer in the world’s longest torch relay visit www.legacytorchrelay.com.au or download the Legacy 100 Torch Relay app.