Three local ladies of Legacy join Gippsland leg of torch relay

THREE South Gippsland Legacy widows took part in the Sale leg of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay on Thursday morning.

They included Avis Tilley of Korumburra, who has just turned 98. Dianne Holtrop of Cowes and Maureen Matthews of San Remo.

The women were escorted to Sale by Legatees Amanda Ford, Perry Neil and Phil Head (South Gippsland Group president) and his wife Jan.

“Legacy’s one of the most wonderful things in the world,” said Avis as she waited for her turn to walk bearing the relay torch – the symbol of Legacy service.

“We had a wonderful time,” chorused Dianne and Maureen. “We were treated like royalty, and everyone looked after us so well.”

A feature of the Sale relay was a fly past by the RAAF.

The relay began with the lighting of the torch in Pozieres France before travelling to London to “meet” King Charles, and then onto Australia.

The relay ends in Melbourne on October 13, when the torch will be taken by a march of Legatees to the Shrine of Remembrance.

The relay is one of a number of Legacy Centenary celebrations that have taken place across Australia this year, including a special commemoration at Coleman Park Korumburra, on September 10.