This story appeared in a Legacy Club of Sydney magazine in 1978.

The original story …..

A returned soldier died on 21st August 1958. He left a widow and ten children, with another one expected some four months later. He also left a grazing property about a hundred miles from the nearest town. He was heavily in debt to the Western Lands Commission of NSW, a private bank, the former owners of the property, and the local storekeeper. (This was a block for returned servicemen that had been resumed from a larger station). The ages of the children ranged from 15 years to one not yet born.

The people of the district where the family lived called a public meeting to see how they could best help, and there collected a large sum of money to be handed directly to the widow for her immediate needs. A member of the group of Sydney Legacy attended the meeting, gave advice, and assured the district that Legacy would do everything possible to help – not just now, but for as long as it appeared necessary.

The manager of the local branch of a well-known wool firm came to the Legatees appointed to the job and assured them his firm could sell the property and stock. The Legatees believed him, but they politely refused the offer. They believed that while the widow owned the property there was some hope of the family being reared and educated as they should be, and that they would still have a home.

The Western Lands Commissioner agreed not to press the indebtedness to him providing Legacy took over the management of the property and, in general, acted as Trustees for the widow. The former owners and the bank were content to wait a little longer for their payments, and the local storekeeper was assured he would be paid as soon as possible (Sydney Legacy helped there). The widow agreed, and so started a “Case of Care” that went on for twenty years.

Two merino studs donated rams to help build up the flock. At a later date a house was purchased in another town so that the children could be with their mother while going to school. (While there, they were looked after by another Legacy Club).

From time to time it was necessary for the Legatees to make financial arrangements with the bank regarding loans and overdrafts, and to assist with estimates and future planning.

The widow has long been out of debt, and a new house has been built on the property. The eldest son is now running the station in conjunction with his mother. In the twenty odd years that Legacy assisted, all the children finished school, and all but two are married. All the boys have good jobs. Also in that time five Legatees helped directly, and one of the original pair was still helping when the eldest son and his mother took over in November, 1978.

It must be clearly understood that, although Legacy did all it could, as it saw fit, from time to time these efforts would have been in vain had it not been for the cooperation of the widow, her understanding, and for her willingness to accept, and agree with, the advice she was given by her advisers.

Legacy still cares, and will continue to care while ever the widow could need help. It seems certain that they never will.

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