Historical information

Transcription of the speeches given at a dinner at the Oakleigh Waverley Branch to honour Legatee Frank Doolan, who was a close friend of Stan Savige and a founding member of Melbourne Legacy. It was Doolan who suggested in 1925 that the object of Legacy be changed from the original intention to find work for returned servicemen to looking after the widows and children of those who had died. Although he refused nominations to be President throughout the ensuing years, he served on many committees, working tirelessly in the background. He was also a part of the campaign to build the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. He recounts the confrontation between Legatee Kemsley and Allan Spowers, the Editor of the Argus. His address at the dinner was self deprecating in tone and contained many interesting anecdotes about famous people he had worked with, including Stan Savige. He tells the story of how the Savige Toby Jug (00198) was created by Herb Greenway for an event to welcome Savige back from WW2, and how as a member of the Anzac Observance Committee he helped to distribute a couple of hundred Lone Pine seedlings around Australia. He also recounts the pride he felt in being asked to plant the Olive Tree of Peace at the Shrine of Remembrance in 1973 as part of the Legacy 50th anniversary celebrations. The olive tree was moved in 2002 into the new courtyard.
He talks about being asked to propose the toast of Legacy at the 1965 Perth Conference and recounted part of what he said. He used the analogy of the cause of Legacy being like a cloak with threads of gold and silver, interwoven with the efforts of Legatees.

Significance

The personal anecdotes reveal the human side of Legacy history, and attest to the social customs of the day.

Physical description

White foolscap paper x 13 pages with black type of a report on a dinner at Legacy House for L/ Doolan.

Inscriptions & markings

Title page: 'Archive copy' handwritten in blue biro. Some pencilled annotations throughout.