Historical information

Detailed account of the business history of Legatee W.D.Joynt VC prepared by Mrs Beryl Luff. Joynt was the seventh member of the newly formed Legacy in 1923 and became a member of the Board of Management in 1924 and worked closely with Stan Savige. He was also instrumental in gaining the support of both General Sir John Monash and the R.S.L. to build the Shrine of Remembrance, as well as ensuring media backing and thus public support for the project.
He worked tirelessly for Legacy for 38 years until he retired at the age of 84, and entered fully into comradeship activities throughout his involvement.
He won his VC in 1917 at Chuignes during one of the last battles on the Somme. The Victoria Cross is the highest award for acts of bravery in wartime and was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria. See also Cat No 01303.
Mrs Luff wrote extensively about Joynt's business career and the challenges he faced throughout the Great Depression and the Second World War. Despite initially losing his farm and then a colour printing business he went on to form W.D. Joynt & Co which began by printing advertising and moved on to general printing, ultimately becoming one of the three largest paperback printers in Australia. in 1976, due to the then economic difficulties in Australia, the company went into receivership, but managed to trade its way out and eventually printed most of Mills & Boon's popular romance series. In 1981 the company became part of the McPherson Group of Companies and Joynt retired.
His qualities of leadership, persistence and business acumen were of great benefit to Melbourne Legacy.

Significance

Illustrates some of the difficulties faced by early Legatees throughout their working lives as a result of global economic crises.

Physical description

5 x typed sheets black on white

Inscriptions & markings

Box 16 L14 in black biro on first page