Launceston Legacy

Launceston Legacy has developed a military library with the majority of books generously donated by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
Other publications have been collected over the years from ex-service organisations which now have ceased to operate. Legacy has also benefitted from additional donations from veterans and members of the local community.
The Legacy Military Library Tasmania is using Librarika, an online system, which is a cost effective integrated library program with no hardware cost, no expensive software to buy, no installation and maintenance burden.

Currently, there are 1,500 items catalogued, mainly books but also some journals. Books can be borrowed if you are a member of the library. While the journals cannot be borrowed, they can be perused at Legacy House, York Street Launceston when the library is open on Mondays from 9:30am to 12.00 noon.
To become a member of the Legacy Military Library Tasmania simply email: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]

There are no joining fees or annual subscription costs.

Launceston Legacy’s library currently contains many duplicate publications.
Veterans and the local community are invited to visit Legacy House at 59 York Street Launceston on any Monday morning, bringing any books that they no longer require, and either donate or swap those books for Legacy’s surplus publications.

Our library might be small, but it is mighty.
We are always looking for great books to add to the Centre, so if there is something you would love to see on our shelves, please share your recommendations below.
This one is such an honest reflection of Major General John Cantwell’s career and service, and it will be back in the library soon.
And if military history is your thing, make sure you visit Launceston Legacy . Their library is incredible, open Monday to Wednesday, and their amazing volunteers have everything in perfect order.

Borrowed from WVNA Tas page.

TLDR:
DVA are reissuing all Gold and White cards from July 2026. No change to entitlements or embossing ie War Widow, TPI etc. Those with cards expiring from May to June will have to w add it until July for replacement card. Old expired cards will still be accepted.
DVA encouraging us all yo more to digital card on our phones.

ESORT (Ex Service Organidation Round Table) Update:

To provide members with an update/outline on upcoming reissue of veteran cards.

The Veteran Card Global Refresh 2026 is part of a scheduled business as usual activity that occurs every six
years. This is aligned with the expected lifespan of the card’s plastic structural base, which wears over time.

This refresh presents an opportunity for a light touch update of the card design (both physical and digital) and
to further promote the access and use of the digital card by clearly highlighting the practical benefits for veterans (e.g. having the card available on a phone; protecting privacy; the digital hologram confirming the card is not a screenshot; and the automatic refresh in the myGov app confirming the card is current when presented for concessions).

The refresh will commence from 13 July 2026.

The card design (physical and digital) for the ‘Veteran Card-All Conditions’ will maintain its gold colour and ‘V’ drop shadow, adding a touch of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) corporate blue colour.

The Veteran Card-Specific Conditions’ has introduced more of the corporate blue while maintaining the strong
linkages to the previous iterations of the card, including the ‘V’ drop shadow (see Attachment A).

A version of the Veteran Card-All Conditions, specific to Totally & Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) eligible members will remain, as will the stamping of speciality cohorts such as War Widow/er, Dependant, and EDA .

In February 2026, there were a total of 304,134 Veteran Cards in circulation.
Of those, 45,000 MyService users had their card enabled in the myGov app’s digital wallet.

This cohort consists of 33,906 ‘Veteran Card-Specific Conditions’ holders and 11,349 ‘Veteran Card-All Conditions’ holders.

Early, action-focused messaging for clients will encourage card holders to check and update their postal details via My Service to support timely delivery of replacement cards. They will also be encouraged to adopt the digital Veteran Card.

All re-issued cards will have accompanying information to educate card holders that although there is a new
look, access to entitlements remain unchanged.

It is intended that the reliance on DVA to support eligibility
and pre-approval enquiries should be reduced.

Note: some Veteran Card holders who are due to be issued/reissued a new card in May/June 2026, may be
impacted by slight delays to their physical card re-issue, as the physical cards due for issue in these months will be held over until the new card is launched.

These card holders will receive direct messaging advising
them of this.

It is important to note that the notional expiry date on the cards, does not impact entitlement to services and support, but rather is primarily used to support concession providers. These clients will have access to their new issue Veteran Card in both MyService and myGov wallet.

Hats off to a remarkable woman - a WW2 veteran in her own right, a war widow, a great grandma and still living independently at 103!

Hobart Legacy, please celebrate this amazing woman.

Gladys Chilcott, you are a living treasure!

Photographed with her granddaughter Teena recently.

Please join us to welcome two new Legatees to the North West region: both widows, both with extensive backgrounds in veteran support and, in one case, the passing of the Legacy Torch from Father to Daughter as a Legatee.

Welcome with us Legatee Chris Bryant and Donna-Maree Burr!

Grateful to The Veterans' & Families' Centre for the lovely lunch and venue for today's induction.

Today, Launceston Legacy had the pleasure of inducting RAN veteran Nathan Watkins as a Legatee.

Nathan, a Perth (Tas) based independent business owner, comes with an impressive array of veteran and family support experience, most recent being his outstanding work with DRA Tas.

Our next induction luncheon sees us heading to Burnie to induct three new Legatees to serve to North West region.

We have to catch up with the phenomenally busy crew at George Town for a special induction there, too.

Please join us in welcoming Nathan during

If you are interested in joining us, as a volunteer, as a Legatee or a Friend of Legacy, please get in touch.

Happy birthday to our huge hearted workaholic President, Brian Harper Oam
Best wishes, Boss

Talking about service...
Today saw our Senior Vice President, Terry Byrne, OAM soaking up the autumn sunshine at Bridport Ex-Services, Bowls and Community Club Inc. on official duties.

Thank you to Terry and Sonia for carrying the Legacy Torch so ably and professionally.