Meet Anna

Anna Nickels’ life changed overnight in April 2019.

After 17 years of marriage, she lost her husband Craig, a Royal Australian Navy serviceman who had dedicated 26 years to Defence, who had been living with post- traumatic stress and other service-related conditions.

“I went to bed as a wife and woke up a widow,” Anna recalls. Legacy became a vital source of support for Anna and her children during the darkest period of their lives. Through the care of volunteers and staff, Anna received both practical assistance and emotional support as she began to navigate life after loss.

“Legacy became my friends and my family at that time,” she says. Legacy programs also helped Anna’s children connect with other young people who had experienced similar loss. Through camps and family events, they were able to build friendships, develop resilience and understand they were not alone.

Today, Anna and her children are in a much stronger place. With the support of Legacy and their community, they are looking forward to the future together.

Meet Kathy

“Oh, it’s been fantastic. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

For Kathy Underdown, Legacy has been far more than support services and social outings. It has been friendship, confidence, belonging and community. The daughter of a World War II veteran, Kathy has been part of Legacy Brisbane’s Explorers program for more than 15 years.

“I can relax knowing if I need anybody, there’s always Legacy there,” she says. And when asked what her father would think of the support Legacy has provided over the years, Kathy’s answer comes instantly.

“I know my dad would be thinking, ‘Oh I’m glad Kathy is with Legacy.’ Knowing that Legacy’s helping me when I need it, my dad would say, ‘Thank you Legacy for being with Kathy.’”

Meet Mia

Mia Douglas’ dad gave a lot in service to our nation.

For almost 10 years, he served in the Australian Army’s 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, including on the frontline in East Timor. Tragically, when Mia was six, her beloved father took his life.

Legacy has been part of Mia’s life ever since. She says Legacy quickly became more than an organisation, it became family. She says the support of Legacy’s volunteer Youth Leaders had a profound impact on her during those early years.

“Talking to Legacy’s Youth Leaders at camp about my story made me feel safe, comfortable, and less alone,”

Mia says. “I was able to talk about the feelings I had and not feel judged for how I felt as they understood my pain.”

Now in her early 20s and at university studying to become a primary school teacher, Mia continues to be a passionate advocate for Legacy and veterans’ families.