Major Wendi McAdie, of Army Logistic Training Centre, will hold her torch high in the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay, which passes through Albury-Wodonga on Saturday.
For her, it’s a way to thank Legacy for a life not just changed, but truly shaped by their work.
Major McAdie said the assistance Legacy provided to and her family had a butterfly effect in the 40 years she had been in Defence.
“Legacy taught me about care for others – service before self, and I think that’s what attracted me to Army,” she said.
“I have done 40 years in the Army now, and all my time has been in the human resources side of the house, first as a chief clerk and now as an S1 looking after the welfare and support of members and their families.”
Major McAdie is one of eight siblings. Her father served in New Guinea in World War 2, returning a changed man and suffering from what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Major McAdie said he withdrew from any government support upon his return, adding to the family’s struggles.
Her father died when she was just 15, leaving a wife with eight children in considerable debt. Without Legacy and the Returned and Services League, the family wouldn’t have been able to afford to bury him.
“They supported and assisted Mum, because Mum didn’t understand the bureaucracy that’s required to get assistance,” Major McAdie said.
“But it was also the camaraderie – being able to go to Christmas functions, see Mum mix with other war widows and me with other Legacy kids. Mum really enjoyed those opportunities. We would have been very financially disadvantaged and isolated if it wasn’t for Legacy.”
This year marks 100 years of the Legacy promise – to look after the families of veterans who have died or been injured. To salute the sacrifice of these men and women, Legacy is holding a relay spanning more than 50,000 kilometres across several countries.
When Major McAdie heard Legacy was looking for torchbearers in the relay she jumped at the opportunity.
“Everybody’s going to say it, but I think it truly is an honour to mark the pledge – ‘we will always look after the missus and the kids’ – it’s exactly what Legacy did for us,” she said.
As retirement approaches, Major McAdie said her relationship with Legacy would come full circle as she intended to become a Legatee and advocate at the Wodonga Veterans and Families Hub.
