This tankard mug was produced by Legacy to honour Legatee Syd Birrell possibly after he was awarded the MC. Legatee Birrell was President of Melbourne Legacy in 1949. The maker was the firm of EG Greenway, a pottery manufacturer in Blackburn, which was connected to Legatee Herb Greenway.Shows the high regard Legatee Syd Birrell was held in by the other legatees.Cream Ceramic mug with handle, with a relief portrait of Captain Syd.H. Birrell MC on one side and relief image of the Legacy Torch and Wreath of Laurel.Underneath etched - Capt Syd. H. Birrell MC. 23.2.46 Label affixed - E G Greenway Australiasouvenir, founding legatee, syd birrell

Two page document recording anecdotes about Melbourne Legacy Presidents, including Bill Cremor, Syd Birrell, Ray Hall and Cyril Smith, written by Ray Hall's successor in 1935, H.G. Brain. According to his account relationships were not always smooth; not only did Hall chair a fractious Board in 1934, but in 1931 insults were hurled during a meeting (by no less than Stan Savige) which resulted in the immediate resignation of the then President Smith, later retracted. Brain himself upset Mildura Legacy when he put forward his view to the Mildura Annual Dinner that 'the returned soldier section of the population was big enough ... to carry its own welfare activities, and that it ought not to pound the general populace too hard.' He had inadvertently broadcast his ideas over the national network, thinking that the microphone was only for local hearing assistance. More amusingly Brain also tells a story about Cremor when he ran against Harold Holt for the the House of Representatives seat of Fawkner 'in 1942 (?)', and one about Birrell showing a group of the Women's Nationalist League (a conservative women's organisation established in 1904 to support the monarchy and empire) members around the Flemington Saleyards. The handwritten notation at the end references the funeral of 1949 President Syd Birrell, who died in 1966.Eyewitness account of early Melbourne Legacy presidents, which is indicative of the times and attitudes.2 typed sheets, black on white'Birrell funeral' handwritten in blue ballpoint, tick beside the final paragraph on each sheet.past presidents, history

Two hand drawn caricatures of Legatees Stan Savige and Syd Birrell, in black ink and crayon from a Comradeship committee photo album. The artist is not known. The caricatures are part of a photo album of Comradeship activities (from 1930 to 1977) see items from 01027 to01036.The Comradeship photo album was put together by the Comradeship committee and records events that Legatees did and places they lived or visited. Some appear to be trips to visit other Legatees living overseas and social occasions held in different places. It shows the bond that Legatees have with each other.Hand drawn caricatures x 2 of Stan Savige and Syd Birrell.Handwritten in black ink 'Stan' and 'Syd'.comradeship, stan savige, syd birrell

A Vale notice that was published in the Bulletin in 1966 on the death of Legatee Syd Birrell. He joined Legacy in 1924 and was very active contact work, welfare and probation work. It says: "It is doubtful that any other Legatee has performed more personal contact service in the homes of our families than has Syd. There are literally hundreds of widows and children in this community who have reason to be eternally grateful for the practical Legacy service he had rendered. He will be greatly missed in very many homes." Syd Birrell was President of Melbourne Legacy in 1949 and helped established at least 10 new Legacy groups in Gippsland and in northern Victoria. In World War One he had served with the 37th Infantry Battalion, winning an MC for bravery at the battle of Broodseinde in Belgium on 4 October 1917. In the Second World War he served as Captain in the VDC. He was awarded an MBE for his contributions to community welfare.A record of the life and service of Legatee Syd Birrell.White A4 paper x 2 pages of a photocopy from the Bulletin of the Vale notice about Legatee Syd Birrell.vale, syd birrell

An article by Legatee Syd Birrell about comradeship. The Legacy newsletter in the 1940s was aimed at the young junior legatees. It encouraged citizenship and values of Legacy. This article compared comradeship to dogs and cats. Cats being poor comrades and dogs being very unselfish. 'Legacy was founded on comradeship . . . In return for any help which may come your way through Legacy, it expects you to help yourself and your families. You must work hard at school or at your jobs. You must be cheerful and helpful in the home; courteous and comradely to your friends and business associates; regardful of the rights and comfort of other people at all times.'A humorous article written by a long serving legatee.Print out x 1 page of an article in the Legacy Newsletter in June 1949.comradeship, junior legatees, syd birrell

Members of the Board of Management in 1938 included Syd Birrell, Carl Carleton, Jack Barnes, Os Gawler, H Nicholson, W(Bill) Pearce, Lionel Wallace, Brian Armstrong, Eric Harding, Doug McKinlay. Text below the photo shows it was presented to J G Gillespie to commemorate his year as president, which was 1938. Another copy of this photo exists that is labelled as Board of Management 1949 - which is incorrect. Legatee Eric Harding OBE, MM, was also a member of the Limbless Soldiers' Association of Victoria as he lost a leg as a gunner in France in WW1. He served with the Australian Field Artillery in the original Anzac Corps. Despite loosing a leg he was active enough to ride with a Light Horse Party at the head of Melbourne's 1975 Anzac Day march. (Source Trove 18/4/1975)A record of the Board of Management of Legacy Club Melbourne in 1938.Black and white photo of the 1938 Board of Management mounted on brown card in a black wooden frame under glass. Handwritten above photo 'Legacy Club Melbourne, Board of Management 1938' and below photo 'Presented to the President L/. J G Gillespie to commemorate his year of office', in white fancy script. White note stuck to the glass tries to identify the names of the men.board of management, syd birrell, os gawler, carleton, brian armstrong, eric harding

Members of the Legacy Club, Melbourne, Board of Management in 1938 which included Syd Birrell, Carl Carleton, Jack Barnes, Os Gawler, H Nicholson, W (Bill) Pearce, Lionel Wallace, Brian Armstrong, Eric Harding, Doug McKinlay. Another copy of this photo is labelled as being 1938 which appears to be correct as it was written and framed for presentation to J G Gillespie to commemorate his year as President. The names list around the photo may not be correct either. Second from Right is Legatee Eric Harding OBE, MM, who was also a member of the Limbless Soldiers' Association of Victoria as he lost a leg as a gunner in France in WW1. He served with the Australian Field Artillery in the original Anzac Corps. Despite loosing a leg he was active enough to ride with a Light Horse Party at the head of Melbourne's 1975 Anzac Day march. (Source Trove 18/4/1975)A record of the Board of Management of Melbourne Legacy.Black and white photo of the Board of Management mounted on brown card. Names in black pen around the border, including C Carleton, J Barnes, O Gawler, H Nicholson, W Pearce, L Wallace, B Armstrong, S Birrell, E Harding, D McKinlay. A yellow sticker of the photographer 'Darge 360 William Street Melbourne.'board of management, syd birrell, carleton, os gawler, brian armstrong, eric harding

A photo of Stanley Savige on Victorian Election night in 1930 from a Comradeship committee photo album. According to Wikipedia Stan Savige unsuccessfully "ran for the Victorian Legislative Assembly Electoral district of Caulfield on the Nationalist Party of Australia ticket" in 1930. (source: Wikipedia). The photo also shows Stan's mother and his daughter Gwen, as well as Legatees Syd Birrell, Norm Smith and Herb Greenway as marked by pen notations in the border. The photo is part of a photo album of Comradeship activities (from 1930 to 1977) see items from 01027 to 01036.A record of Stan Savige standing for election in the Caulfield elections in 1930. The Comradeship photo album was put together by the Comradeship committee and records events that Legatees did and places they lived or visited. Some appear to be trips to visit other Legatees living overseas and social occasions held in different places. It shows the bond that Legatees have with each other.Black and white photo of a group of people with Stanley Savige on election night 1930.Handwritten in blue ink: "Caulfield Election Night 1930. / Syd Birrell / Norm Smith / Stan's mother / Gwen / Stan Savige / Herb Greenway"stan savige, comradeship, savige

A Legacy ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. One of the annual "Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students" events, usually held just prior to ANZAC Day. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. Believed to be 1946.A record of a ceremony for school students at the Shrine.Black and white photo of schools ceremony at the Shrine.Handwritten in pencil "1946 School's ceremony / President Doug Craig (at mic) / Jim Gillespie / Syd Birrell. In blue pen "Norman Smith I.L.C." Stamped Copyright Herald Feature Service in purple ink. anzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony

An description of the first picnic for 260 war orphans (boys) and their mothers at Ricketts Point (Black Rock) in 1926, who were transported in two charabancs by Legatees, some of whom were in fancy dress. Pages 5-16 recounts anecdotes of Syd Birrell unrelated to the picnic. The writer is anonymous but by the hand writing it is possibly L/- Frank Doolan, a founding member of Legacy, who was part of a committee to capture the history of Legacy and create an archive of material.First hand account by a participant on the trip, which details some highly irresponsible activities which were seen as perfectly acceptable at that time. Some of the anecdotes about Syd Birrell would now be regarded as polically incorrect, but the anonymous writer expresses his amusement and admiration, and references ‘Legacy - the story of the Melbourne Legacy Club' by Claude Blatchford.13 handwritten A5 sheets, numbered 1-16 (missing 9, 10, and 15) in red print on top right hand corner, blue biro on white lined paper, probably torn from a notepad.junior legatee outing, founding legatee

This ceramic tankard mug was produced for Melbourne Legacy to honour their Patron. The Patron of Legacy is usually the Governor of Victoria, since the very early days of Legacy. It appears to be taken from a photo of General Sir Dallas Brooks KCB, KCMG, DSO, KStJ., who was Governor of Victoria from 1949. The date made is unknown but it believed to be early 1950s. Similar mugs were produced to honour Legatees Stan Savige and Syd Birrell and were estimated to have been produced in late 1940's or early 1950s. A similar one was made for the Queen's coronation in 1953. The maker was the firm of EG Greenway, a pottery manufacturer, which was connected to Legatee Herb Greenway.Shows the importance of the patron that he was commemorated in a ceramic mug along with Syd Birrell and Stan Savige and the Queen.Cream ceramic mug with handle, with relief portrait of the patron of Legacy, under which is etched 'Our Patron' on one side, with a relief symbol of the Legacy Torch and Wreath of Laurel on the opposite side.'Our Patron' is etched under the relief portrait. Underneath etched makers marking, E.G. Greenway Pty Ltd. Australiasouvenir, patron, dallas brooks

A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee A G (Robbie) Robertson (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1971). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. In World War 2 Legatee Robertson saw service in the AIF in Australia, Middle East and South-West Pacific area. Initially with the 2/16 Aust. Field Coy. R.A.E. and also in the Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers. He was inducted into Legacy in 1960 after being proposed by Legatee Edgar Sherwan and Legatee Syd Birrell. In his professional life he was Engineer in Chief of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. 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 Legatee Robbie Robertson a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Article with a black and white photo of Legatee Robbie Robertson - President 1971past presidents, robbie robertson

A draft of a report that was compiled in response to a request for any information on the early history of Legacy. The author is unknown but it was addressed to President Foseltt - meaning it was 1972. It could have been in the 1960s when Syd Birrell was forming an archive, or the archive project by Frank Doolan in early 1970s. The first page outlines the intended content: 1 Origin of Legacy and main purpose 2 How Legacy got it's name 3 Who suggested the name Legacy 4 First welfare work undertaken to aid widows 5 Debt to L/ Doolan and decision to undertake care of children 6 & 7 Efforts to obtain widows' trust 8 Date and change to Legacy's main work 9 Retirement of Frank Selleck 10 First boys' Christmas camp 11 First public fundraising to fund building permanent camp at Somers 12 Debt to L/ Kemsley 13 Anzac commemoration committee 14 Fundamental change to aims and objectives. The notation H49 in blue pen shows that it was part of the 1970s archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A detailed summary of the history and early work of Legacy.White foolscap paper with black type x 9 pages of a report to President Foskett (1972) in response to his request for information on the early history of Legacy, the author is unknown.Handwritten H47 in blue pen.history, founding legatee

A document written in 1976 by Legatee Frank Meldrum containing his account of the start of Legacy. He was responding to a request for information about the history of Legacy that the archive committee was collating. He mentions several key members by name and what they achieved. As with other similar accounts he mentions the original objective was to see diggers placed in employment. When two years later the focus changed to the families 'thanks to Frank Doolan Legacy found its SOUL'. Many other accounts have also used the term 'soul' when referring to Frank's suggestion. It seems many Legatees had been quietly helping families of their comrades; Frank 'said he was helping a widow with two children of an old army mate. It was discovered that several of the Board were doing the same. Stan Savige had taken over the care of his widowed sister and her two boys, whose father had died at Passchendale. I had a widow with two little ones whose father was one of my best mates at Anzac. He died of flu virus after returning to Australia. I think eleven members of the Board or Committees were already giving similar service. Frank's proposal caught on immediately. Legacy had found its Soul!' 'Harold Peters started his Lit and Debating Class and I was asked by Stan to find a PT instructor', Frank Meldrum asked for the 'Billy' Williams to helped, and a cobber from Anzac, Louis Vavjanezki, to take on boxing and wrestling classes. 'All committees carried their own expenses amongst themselves - nothing was charged to JLC. Hugh Brain started the Education Committee and was given a donation, I think of $1000 (a heck of a lot in those days) by the Ballieu Bros.' He also mentions 'For the first 5-10 years practically all administrative costs were borne by the members.' 'Stan Savige was, of course a tremendous driving force in all the work for the Juniors. He put on a Christmas Camp at Balnarring on his own property and was Camp Commandant and Camp Cook.' Legatee Keith Mitchell helped Frank Meldrum in doing a dental examination of all children in the classes and then Frank did the necessary treatments in his rooms. When it was known they were treating over 400 children and their mums, Syd Birrell then got the board to co-opt two more dentists into the Club and form a Dental Clinic. Syd Birrell also started a Legal Committee to provide free legal advice. 'Committees quietly vied with each other to give better services to the Juniors and their mums. It was an atmosphere that was unbelievably happy - SERVCE WITHOUT SELF'. He mentions picnics, including one at Grimwade house - photos are at 01382 - where legatees were dressed up. The first demonstration was held in the 'Playhouse, just over Princes Bridge and was a great success.' Aaron Beattie and Mrs Gilles were mentioned. The notation H33 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A summary of the first fifty years of Legacy written by a key founding member.White foolscap paper with black type x 6 pages of Frank Meldrum's account of Legacy's history dated 6 March 1976.Handwritten H33 in red pen and 'from Meldrum' in blue pen on first page. Stamped 'COPY ONLY' in purple ink.history, founding legatee, frank meldrum