Historical information

A copy of the Act of the Victorian Parliament relating to the property held in trust for Junior Legacy, Melbourne. It mentions that Richard Goldsmith of the United States wanted to mark his appreciation of services rendered in Australia to the armed forces of USA during World War 2 and in memory of the late David H Dureau. The company BG Corporation (of the USA), of which he was president, gave a gift of £27,059 to Junior Legacy Club of Melbourne for the purchase and fitting out of premises for the use of the club in its principal object of the care and welfare of children of deceased servicemen. Also that the building be perpetually known as the "D H Dureau Memorial Building". The first building that was purchased with the donation was 342 Swanston St, however it was found unsuitable and this Act allowed it be sold and a new building be found (293 Swanston St). The Act was cited as "Junior Legacy Melbourne (Dureau Memorial) Act 1953".
The hand written note says that the Act "tells a story", is possibly part of the notes made when compiling the history of Legacy.
They were in a folder of documents about the history of Legacy. Appears to have been mostly compiled by Legatee Cyril Smith as he has many hand written notes on miscellaneous pieces of paper (some are envelopes addressed to him). The notes were typed up into a summary of the History of Legacy. Also documents relating to the first time Legacy approached the public for donations in September 1956, including newspaper articles that were reprinted, a schedule of information that was approved to be released to the press, and a list of potential donors that was circulated to Legatees in the hope they could contact the ones they knew personally or professionally. The call for public donations was partially due to the purchase of the Dureau building and the need to modify the building for Legacy's needs.
The documents from this folder have been added in separate records (see 01262 to 01281).
The folder was part of an attempt to capture history of Legacy, generally from the 1950s.
See also 01284 - Title deed of Legacy House

Significance

The documents provide an insight into the working of Legacy, especially in the 1950s. Legatee Cyril Smith and others were detailing their experiences and knowledge for the future.

Physical description

Four page copy of an Act of the Victorian parliament relating to the property held in Trust for Legacy and a hand written note.

Inscriptions & markings

Hand written on the note: "This Victorian Act (No 5717, 1953) tells a story:"