A framed photo of the first president of Melbourne Legacy, Legatee Harold Cohen. Harold Edward Cohen (1881-1946), soldier, lawyer, politician and businessman, was born on 25 November 1881. In 1901 Cohen was commissioned in the Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Military Forces, and was promoted captain in 1905 and major in 1909. In 1915 he was appointed commanding officer of the 6th Army Brigade, Australian Field Artillery Regiment, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, serving in the Middle East, England and France until June 1919. Twice wounded and twice mentioned in dispatches, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1917 and created C.M.G. in 1918. He was awarded the Volunteer Decoration in 1921 and the CBE in 1934. In 1929 Brigadier Cohen entered Parliament as the member for Melbourne South in the Legislative Council, and in 1935 transferred to the Assembly as member for Caulfield, which seat he held until 1943. During the Second World War Brigadier Cohen served in the Middle East as honorary Red Cross Commissioner overseas. Returning to Australia in 1942 he was appointed director of amenities, and subsequently Deputy Adjutant-General to the AMF, which post he held until his retirement in 1944.A record of the past presidents being honoured in a prominent position at Legacy House.Black and white photograph in a wooden frame of Legatee Harold Cohen.Plaque on the frame is engraved 'Legatee Harold Cohen First President, Melbourne Legacy 1923-24'.past presidents, harold cohen

A portrait of Legatee Harold Edward Cohen CMG, CBE, DSO, VD, MLC, he served in both World Wars, attained the rank of Brigadier. He was the first president of Legacy in 1923 to 1924. The portrait was in an album of photos taken in the 1940s (mostly 1945). Harold Edward Cohen (1881-1946), soldier, lawyer, politician and businessman, was born on 25 November 1881. His early interest in soldiering led to him being first commissioned in the Australian Military Forces in 1901 in the Field Artillery. On the outbreak of the First World War he took overseas the 6th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, seeing service in France and Egypt, and being awarded the CMG and DSO, and being twice mentioned in despatches. He was twice wounded in action. He was awarded the Volunteer Decoration in 1921 and the CBE in 1934. In 1929 Brigadier Cohen entered Parliament as the member for Melbourne South in the Legislative Council, and in 1935 transferred to the Assembly as member for Caulfield, which seat he held until 1943. During the Second World War Brigadier Cohen served in the Middle East as honorary Red Cross Commissioner overseas. Returning to Australia in 1942 he was appointed director of amenities, and subsequently Deputy Adjutant-General to the AMF, which post he held until his retirement in 1944. A different photo of Legatee Cohen is framed and hung in the Level 2 function room (see 03991).A record of a prominent legatee who was President of Legacy.Black and white portrait of Harold E Cohen, who was the first president of Legacy in 1923. Part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. From one of 20 pages with black and white photos.legatee, portrait, past president, harold cohen

Dinner hosted by the Mayor of St Kilda, Councillor Burnett Gray J.P., to meet Colonel the Honorable Harold Cohen C.M.G. D.S.D. M.L.C., held at St Kilda Town Hall on 26 March 1934. Colonel (later Brigadier) Cohen was a Member of the Legislative Council from 1 June 1929 until 1 February 1935, representing the Melbourne South province. He sat in the Legislative Assembly as Member for Caulfield from 1 March 1935 until 1 April 1943.White folded card, discoloured with age, with embossing on front and gold edging, and a folded white paper insert, both printed in blue and bound together with a tied blue ribbon. City logo printed in blue on front. Photo of St Kilda Town Hall on the back.st kilda mayoral function, harold cohen

A letter from Legatee Meldrum recalling memories about Legatee Stan Savige. It is addressed to Legatee Kemsley who was on the archive committee at the time. Legatee Meldrum was a dentist and Stan was a patient of his. During a visit there was a discussion that Meldrum could help convince Sir John Monash to be President of Legacy as he used to play tennis with his son-in-law. It goes on the recount how Sir John suggested the role to Harold Cohen. Part of what was written: 'I did speak to Sir John the next Sunday. He was very interested but said he just could not take the office because his hands were so full with Yallourn. He said "Don't worry, let me give you some advice. If ever you want a job - a good job - done go to a busy man." Later as I was leaving Sir John called me into his study and said "I took my own advice today and asked a very busy man to take on the job you asked me to do. You know Harold Cohen because you always sit at his table at the Club. Well I've told him I would like him to think about taking the Chairmanship. Now it's up to you. Arrange for Savige and others to meet him". Which I did. Being originally a 6th Brigader I knew nearly everyone interested and I had known Pip Powell for six years before the war. I did attend a committee meeting just before the first luncheon at Stan's invitation but had not formally joined. I did attend the first luncheon at Anzac House and joined Legacy then.'A record of a Legatee recalling the events about the start of Legacy.White paper note dated 1 October 1976 from Legatee Meldrum about Stan Savige.stan savige, frank meldrum, sir john monash

The State Electricity Commission Sub-Branch of the RSL convened a commemoration service for Sir John Monash on Sunday 16 April 1972, which took place at the equestrian statue of Monash at the Shrine. The MC was Legatee D.J. Simonson (President 1970 and great nephew of Sir John), who also laid a wreath on behalf of Melbourne Legacy, and the address was given by Dr. J.A.L. Matheson, Vice Chancellor of Monash University. Matheson spoke of the establishment of the University in 1958 and how appropriate it had been to name it after Monash, comparing the struggle to create a world class university with Monash's struggles on the Western Front. Appropriately Monash had been chairman of the constructing body of the Shrine. In 1923 he was approached to become the first President of Legacy, a position which he declined as he was heavily involved as the Chairman of the State Electricity Commission. However, he pressed Colonel Harold Cohen, to take his place and Cohen became Legacy's first President.Legacy still takes part in RSL commemorations, and the links with Monash and the Shrine make this ceremony all the more noteworthy.01299 Seven sheets of black typing on white paper 01299.1 Folded card and paper insert, black print on white 01299.2 Outside of folded card, pale greyjohn monash, wreath laying ceremony

A letter that was sent from Legatee PW Powell to Legatee 'Doney' on 21st September 1928. He mentions his purpose is to record some of the early history of Legacy in a minute book of the Club, which unfortunately was missing at the time of writing. As well as saying it was formed after Stan Savige saw General Gellibrand's Remembrance Club in Hobart. Luncheon meetings were held and the first one L/ Powell attended in September 1923 had about 8 attendees - Stan Savige, Fred Forrest, Frank Selleck, Charlie Watson, Peter Eller, and Ted Pittard. L/ Powell was appointed Hon. secretary and there was discussion about the name of the club. Suggestions included 'Continuance', 'Chevron', 'Espirit de Corps', and 'Apres Le Guerre'. He says 'at that stage Legacy was not mentioned, the inspiration came later in my own offie when seeking a name that would appeal to he imagination. My recommendation to the members was covered in he first luncheon address given to the Club under the title of "Business Leadership" .' Selection of the first president included inviting General Monash and General Tivey, who both declined. Colonel Harold Cohen accepted. 'The first literature issued by the Club included: List of office bearers (deleting decorations and rank) / Constitution and By laws / Classification / Brief History (which was torn up before issue as it was felt that Legacou should be impersonal and that the principal should stand before the individual).' The notation H3 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. This is one of the first documents that documents the origins of Legacy.White A4 photocopy of a letter on L/ Powell's letterhead about the early history of Legacy written in 1928.Handwritten H3 in red pen. Signed 'PW Powell' in black fountain point pen. history, founding legatee

An article from the Bulletin including the text an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley at a Legacy event on 27 September 1983. He discusses the beginnings of Legacy. He relates the approach made to Sir John Monash to be the first president. It was via Legatee Frank Meldrum who was playing tennis with Monash's son-in-law. It shows the nature of relations between high ranking ex servicemen. Monash suggested Colonel Harold Cohen. Initially Legacy was founded with 'one person from each profession or business who will represent that profession until such time as the Club has established itself on a wider basis.' For example there were 'two solicitors - Downing and Armstrong, Meldrum as dentist, George Worboys as plumber, Dr Gardener as the eye specialist, Doolan and Goodchild as Surveyors, Fred Wickham of the Premier's department who was regarded as very important, Baker from Myer's Emporium, Joynt from the printing world and Blackett the architect.' He also mentions a Police Strike and General Monash set up a special constabulary force. Cohen, Kemsley and many of the early legatees answered the call to help keep peace. By December 1923 there were 54 members of the new Legacy club. The name was under consideration as the Tasmanian club was called Remembrance Club. Pip Powell nominated the name of Legacy to be submitted for consideration, but it was Frank Selleck who moved the formal resolution. By the end of 1924 initial objectives were met. A picnic with widows and children was held at Heidelberg and then Beaumaris, (limited by the few legatees who had motorcars at the time). Following thoses successes Frank Doolan posed the question 'what does Legacy really mean?' and focus changed toward widows and children. Legatee Savige had a property at Balnarring and the first camps were started. For boys there was a Lacrosse team and football team. Also swimming classes and literary and debating classes, which were hoped to be interesting and develop their minds along the proper form of citizenship. Then classes for the widows and later the girls. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of a speech made by Legatee Kem Kemsley a past president of Legacy about events in the early days of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Photocopy of 3 pages from Bulletin on an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley in 1983.Bulletin No. VAW 1209. 6.10.1983. Page No 8, 9 and 10.past presidents, speech, kem kemsley, history, police strike

An article from the Bulletin including the text an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley at a Legacy event on 4 October 1977. He discusses the beginnings of Legacy. He starts with Legatee Savige's tip to Hobart and Sir John Gellibrand's Remembrance Club. Then a meeting of the 24th Battalion at Phair's Hotel in 1923 and the men there agreeing to start a similar club, he mentions Sandy Lowe as a member at the meeting in 1977 that was at the initial meeting in 1923. He also mentions other at that initial meeting were Savige, Frank Selleck, Ted Pittard, Bob Irving, and 'Babe' Norman. He relates the approach made to Sir John Monash to be the first president. It was when Savige was in Frank Meldrum's dentist chair that the plan was hatched for Meldrum, (who was playing tennis with Monash's son-in-law, Gershon Bennett), to approach Monash to be president. It shows the nature of relations between high ranking ex servicemen. Instead Monash suggested Colonel Harold Cohen. Initially Legacy was founded with 'one person from each profession or business who will represent that profession until such time as the Club has established itself on a wider basis.' For example there were 'two solicitors - Downing and Armstrong, Meldrum as dentist, George Worboys as plumber, Dr Gardener as the eye specialist, Doolan and Goodchild as Surveyors, Fred Wickham of the Premier's department who was regarded as very important, Baker from Myer's Emporium, Joynt from the printing world and Blackett the architect.' He also mentions a Police Strike and General Monash set up a special constabulary force. Cohen, Kemsley and many of the early legatees answered the call to help keep peace. By December 1923 there were 54 members of the new Legacy club. The name was under consideration as the Tasmanian club was called Remembrance Club. Pip Powell nominated the name of Legacy to be submitted for consideration, but it was Frank Selleck who moved the formal resolution. The speech mentions that Sir Gellibrand was appointed Patron of Legacy and later Monash and Sir Harry Chauvel were chosen. Frank Doolan posed the question 'what does Legacy really mean?' and focus changed toward widows and children. Citing some slightly different dates to those in a later speech about the start of Legacy (at 02029) he says it was July 1926 that they met with widows and a couple of weeks later 142 boys were to attend Anzac House for a Literary and Debating class. Ballarat and Geelong had formed clubs by 1925 and Legatee Hilmer Smith was transferred with his work to Sydney and started a Legacy Club there in 1926. The first Conference was held in November 1926. The first Government House Christmas party for children was held in 1926, when the Governor General of Australia was still residing there. His final words were about his war experiences and relates a speech made by Legatee Brian Armstrong on 28th February 1961 (02502) that also spoke of the area around the Pozieres Windmill that was part of the battle of the Somme in July/August 1916, where so many of the early legatees fought.. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of a speech made by Legatee Kem Kemsley a past president of Legacy about events in the early days of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Photocopy of 5 pages from Bulletin on an address by Legatee Kem Kemsley in 1977.Bulletin 4.10.77. Page No 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.past presidents, speech, foundation day, kem kemsley, sir john monash, pozieres, somme

Crabbe, Cohen and Kirby handwritten note to E. P. Hastings re: share certificates Mr George Harold Watson, Catherine Hayes signed Crabbe Cohen & Kirby.dated 11.3.1895bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery