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For each serving Australian who risks everything – a family does the same. Australians will have the chance to show their support for these very special families by buying a badge during Legacy Week – August 30 to September 5, 2015.

As one of Australia’s most iconic charities, Legacy grew out of the ashes of the Great War and still supports around 90,000 families of Defence personnel who have given their lives or their health for their country.

Australia has lost just over 100,000 service men and women in all conflicts with many, many more badly injured, both mentally and physically. In WWI alone around 60,000 service men and women were killed with another 60,000 losing their lives in the following 10 years as a result of their service.

Legacy Australia chairman, Mr David Gray, said the families of the dedicated men and women who serve their country deserve the recognition of their sacrifice and the support of all Australians. He said a promise to look after the “missus and the kids” made by diggers in WWI to their mates who had fallen continues at the heart of what Legacy does today.

He also acknowledged the support of the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin and that of the Australian Defence Force for this year’s appeal.

“For each serving Australian who risks everything, a family does the same, and when Legacy is needed it is ready to provide support,” he said.

“Legacy cares for widows and dependants ranging in age between 3 weeks and 109, with all sharing the heartache of losing a loved one †either physically or mentally †which can last a lifetime.

“Legacy’s role continues to evolve to accommodate the changing needs of the families we support, including those affected by Post Traumatic Stress, which it does while keeping the Legacy ethos that has served us proudly since 1923.

“When you see a badge seller in the street during Legacy Week please help us help the families in need and buy a badge.”

Legacy is the only organisation of its type in the world and relies on an army of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are returned servicemen and women, to carry out its vital work.

Legacy Badges, Tokens of your donations will be available throughout the Toowoomba Region during Badge Week. To donate by electronic funds transfer Heritage Bank Account Toowoomba Legacy Inc gifts Account. BSB 638-070. Ac /No 8796912

To volunteer your time Phone 0413 484 757 any time or 07 46322 352 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 1pm.

It’s Bulls, Barrels, & Music at the annual Fossil Downs Charity Bush Rodeo, Fifteen Mile Road, Murphy’s Creek Saturday 5th September.

Top class rodeo Bull riding with 150 NRA affiliated cowboys in action plus all the thrills of the richest barrel racing in Australia, with 40 competitors saddling up their horses to compete. There will also be poddy calf rides for the kids and a host of country music entertainment.

Some of the biggest & meanest bulls from Danny McLaughlin’s Toogoolawah mountain country will be in action to test the bull riders including ‘Neil’s Parts Spot On’, ‘Western Gulf Wolverine’, ‘Bambino’ & ‘Jackson’s Pet’ while the barrel racing girls will vie for lots of $$$$$ in prizemoney.

This is the 8th year of the rodeo and funds raised from the event will assist the local Murphy’s Creek community as well as the Toowoomba Hospital Renal & Oncology Units. Entertainment by local country artist Tootie Hiles will also keep everybody entertained.

Saturday 5th September from 4.00pm is when all the action of Bulls, Barrels & Music gets underway. Bar, Canteen and Camping facilities with hot showers are available, with campers waking up to a delicious hot breakfast.

Entry for Adults $17, Children (5 †15 years) $7, Concessions $12, Families $40.

Just follow the signs to Murphy’s Creek and get into the action of Charity Rodeo…..

Beauaraba Living, an award winning aged care home in Pittsworth, has been raising funds for a very special event, ‘Shave for Shelley’ held on Wednesday, August 26th . The event was initiated by Kate Hanley, executive assistant at Beauaraba Living, to show support for Shelley Metcalf, wife of the general manager, Alex Metcalf, who has been on a journey with cancer.

Kate said, “When I approached Shelley about doing a fundraiser she was wonderful. She insisted that she wanted the funds to go back into Pittsworth and specifically to Beauaraba Living to create something full of life. It has been an amazing journey, and today was unbelievable!”

Staff members at Beauaraba Living supported the event by offering to shave their hair, with earlier publicity events such as dying their hair pink and red to draw attention to themselves for the fundraising. Kate Hanley, Sarita Reimers and Murray French, who are all staff, along with Sammie Fuhlbohm, Kate’s daughter and David Cox, a resident of Beauaraba Living, all offered to shave their heads.
Most of the staff also joined in the fun by wearing colourful clothes and colouring their hair with chalk and spray or wearing wigs. Their festive hair colouring was contagious, as visitors and residents took part in the fun which went for most of the day. Shelley Metcalf was touched by the event and said, “Shaving your head is a very big deal, and I truly appreciate all who participated. They will be blessed abundantly for this.” With a heartfelt response from Kate, “I’d shave my head in a heartbeat for you, Shelley.”

The corridors of Beauaraba Living were full of life throughout the day as Alex Metcalf and other staff members dressed up in cow costumes and called for donations to ‘the cash cow’ as a final countdown to “The Last Man Standing” fundraiser. Christina and Murray French also donated a trolley of groceries from local IGA Pittsworth, worth $300 which helped raise thousands for the event.

After all of the brave participants heads were shaved by Shelley, a former hairdresser, Alex Metcalf ended the fundraiser with the good news that “$15,651 has been raised “, with donations continuing to come in.