Apr 2001 Volume 82 Number 4 "serving the protectors"

Legacy

The editor

At Legacy’s last meeting, the committee felt that its members should be updated on the work it is doing, where members’ money is being spent and the benefits flowing onto legatees and wards.

Police Legacy is grateful to the serving members who replied so positively to a letter sent out by its president, Brian Smith. Legacy has always believed its work deserves support from all serving members and the letter from Brian Smith gave all non-member police officers the opportunity to join. This only takes a payroll deduction form to the pay office for a $1 donation to SA Police Legacy per fortnight. As Legacy is a charitable institution, all donations are tax deductible.

I believe our most valuable service to police widows and wards is the visiting service by our liaison officer. Christine Williamson was a serving member and is under contract to SA Police Legacy to visit all our police widows on a regular basis. While contact by correspondence serves a purpose, the value of personal visits is paramount. All sorts of problems can be discussed and resolved over a cup of tea, and the committee can be reliably informed of the widows’ needs.

Many free benefits – some as a direct result of home visits – are now available. They include:

Security Devices We supply and install security chains, door viewers and smoke detectors.

Personal Safety Alarms We supply hand-held alarms to deter assailants and handbag snatchers.

Medical Aids We arrange medical aids such as walking frames.

Communication Cordless telephones are supplied to widows with arthritis or with movement difficulties such as those one experiences from post-operation recoveries.

Constant Care We now make Constant Care units available to widows so they can summon help if incapacitated by falls or illness.

Financial Assistance At times, medical expenses exceed budgets, particularly with chronic ailments. We assist with some of these costs.

Vehicle Maintenance We offer courses in vehicle maintenance for widows and wards.

Country Visits The liaison officer arranges visits to country regions to meet with widows who, by living in the country, miss out on our social gatherings.

Health & Fitness Award Police Legacy presents the Health & Fitness award to all graduating cadet courses at Fort Largs.

National Police Remembrance Day Police Legacy distributes remembrance ribbons and posters through all main police stations and Police Credit Union branches every September.

Gift Baskets We send a birthday gift basket to all legatees aged 90 and over.

Birthday Cards Sent with $20 to all wards up to 17.

Christmas Cards Sent to all legatees.

Police Band Concerts Thirty legatees are invited to police band concerts at Adelaide Town Hall three times a year. The concerts are followed by afternoon tea at the Town Hall Café.

Annual Barbecue All legatees are invited to the annual barbecue at either Fort Largs or the Echunga Reserve.

Annual Christmas Lunch All legatees are invited to the annual lunch held at the Royal Coach Motor Inn in December every year.

Social Outings Subsidized social outings are arranged throughout the year – usually bus tours – to places of interest.

Education Grants These are available annually for all wards studying full-time and range from $150 for pre-school to $900 for university studies.

Job Start Allowance An allowance of $1,000 is available for wards starting their first job. This helps with tools and clothing etc.

Driving Lessons Assistance is available for wards taking driving lessons.

Ward Outings The liaison officer arranges outings for wards to Mt Thebarton or the movies.

There is always an opportunity for serving members to join the committee and be part of a positive group of people helping others.

Karl Faeth
Secretary

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