The letter is Legatee Kemsley's response to an article published on 20 April 1946 discussing War Memorials. The article suggested that war memorials were better to be utilitarian, such as hospitals, parks and community centres. Legatee Kemsley's reply is that such necessary amenities should be provided but not as memorials of sacrifice. "The plain fact is that unless sacrifices and deeds of heroism and national patriotism are expressed in non-utilitarian memorials they lose then special significance they are designed to provide." "As a Trustee of the National War Memorial, I ask, what hospital or park could as fittingly provide a Mecca for for national solemnity, or rejoicing, or thanksgiving, as the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne?" After the first world war there was a decision made to create a memorial. Legatees were involved in the process at various times and capacities. In particular Legatee Kemsley was vocal when the idea of the St Kilda Road site, which was favoured early on, was overturned and in 1926 there was pressure to change to a "provision of square" and Cenotaph at the intersection of Spring and Bourke Streets. Legacy Clubs voiced their opposition to this proposal by passing a resolution "That the Melbourne Legacy Club, representative of the returned soldiers in business in this city, whilst welcoming the Anzac Square Scheme as a city improvement, cannot support it as a War Memorial scheme and affirms its support for the Shrine of Remembrance in the Domain as the only War Memorial worthy of Victoria's unparalleled efforts in the Great War." The document was in an envelope with the History of the Shrine (01181). The envelope says 'The Origin of the Shinre of Remembrance p/p Legatees Kemsley and Joynt'. And the initial 'JMBA'?. It was in a file with other documents concerning the Shrine and it's history.This is a record of the debate that was occurring in 1946 about the appropriate way to commemorate the war. There was an effort to record historical events for the "Archive Committee" which collected this an other documents relating to the Shrine together in a file (see items 01181 - 01190)File copy of a letter x 2 pages typed on white quarto paper. Dated 2 May 1946, it is from Legatee Kemsley to the Editor of the Australian Municipal Journal in response to an article they had printed. Plus a page from the journal.memorial, shrine of remembrance

A printed sheet sent to guests for the Opening Ceremony of the National Conference of Legacy at the Victorian Arts Centre on 2 October 1998 in the presence of the Governor General of Australia, Sir William Deane. The document acted both as a ticket and an information sheet, and the event was organised by Past President Legatee D.J. Simonson.Part of documentation for the 75th Anniversary of Legacy. The presence of the Governor General is indicative of the importance of the event.Blue Legacy letterhead, black printing, white paper'Guests' handwritten in red biro 'This is how admittance will go out' in black biro.conference, 75th anniversary

From 1988 to 2021, Legacy held a public speaking contest for young secondary school students. It was initially called the Junior Plain English Speaking Award (JPESA) and later called Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award (LJPSA). Schools were eligible to send along up to 4 representatives to compete in a preliminary round. Participants gave a four minute prepared speech and a two minute impromptu response to a topic. This programme was from the finals of the Victorian competition in 1996 held in the Iwaki Auditorium at the ABC Southbank Centre, the winner would go on to compete in the National Final of the Award on 11 November. The following was taken from a programme in 1996: "The Award aim is to promote enhanced oral communication skills for 12-14 year old students and to help young people appreciate the ideals of Legacy - voluntary service, caring and comradeship - and the need for remembrance. It began in 1988 in the Melbourne area with the support of the Ministry of Education and The Plain English Foundation. Entries have grown from 24 in the 1988 competition to over 300 across the State, plus greater numbers participating in the process of selecting four contestants from each school. In 1995, a successful Interstate Championship was held with contestants from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. On 11 November 1996 the first National final was held with contestants from six states." In 2011 it was 416 students from 140 secondary schools and colleges in Victoria. It is estimated that approximately 1500 students around Australia participated.A programme of finalists and presenters from the speaking contest that has been run by Legacy from 1988 to 2021.White glossy A3 card with blue printing as a programme of the speaking contest in 1994. legacy promotion, speaking contest, jpesa

Programme for the ceremony held at the concert hall in the Victorian Art Centre to mark the start of the 1998 National Conference on 2nd October 1998. It was the 75th anniversary of Legacy. The Programme includes an official party of the Governor General of Australia, Sir William Deane, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Ivan Deveson, and Legatee Gilmore, the Chairman of the Legacy Co-ordinating Council. Sponsors include John Allison Monkhouse Funeral Directors, AMP, ANZ and Tattersalls. Past President Legatee D.J. Simonson was responsible for the organisation of the entire conference.A record of the annual conference being in Melbourne for the 75th Anniversary of Legacy. White 4 page programme of the opening ceremony of the 1998 Conference.conference, 75th anniversary, governor general

Photos of a Legacy Conference in 1998 which was the 75th Anniversary year. The photos show a military band on stage at the Victorian Art Centre and speeches being made in front of a large audience. Also a choir and a lady in the official party receiving a bunch of flowers. A record of an event for the 75th Anniversary in 1998. Colour photo x 6 of the Legacy Conference Opening at Victorian Arts Centre in 1998.Printing on the back "