Legacy has always been a part of Kaye Mongan’s life. Legacy supported her grandmother in the 1930s after her grandfather died as a result of injuries sustained at Fromelles in the First World War. Her mother and five siblings became Legacy wards. Legacy assisted with their schooling just as they do now. Later in her mother’s life, Legacy also supported her when Kaye’s father, a Second World War commando, died. As a young girl in Brisbane, Kaye helped raise money for Legacy.
When Kaye’s husband, an RAN veteran, died in 2016, Legacy was there, initially helping to navigate the processes of locating documents and records needed from several government departments. Kaye said “I began to relax – I had this strange feeling that I was not alone and now someone had my back covered. Legacy were walking beside me, lighting the way.”
With the encouragement of her Legatee Sam Hughes (who had also served in the RAN), she regained the confidence to go out and to meet other widows supported by Legacy, and to enjoy some fabulous Legacy functions – Spring and Christmas Luncheons, ANZAC Concerts, holidaying at the Canberra Legacy cottage by the sea and being involved in North Canberra Laurel Club of which Kaye is now the President, one of several Canberra Legacy groups offering peer support and social connection for people in the same circumstances.
During the series of COVID lockdowns in Canberra, Kaye spent many hours on the phone just to let other widows know they were not alone, and that Legacy will always be there for them. Kaye enjoys working with the widows in Laurel Club pointing them in the right direction towards their Legatee should they need assistance.
Pictured above: Kaye Mongan with Legatee Sam Hughes.