Coins honour our Anzacs
Special collection thanks servicemen and women
NOTHING can alleviate the grief of losing a parent, as 23year-old Natasia Barker and her sisters Jamille, 19, and Kaela, 17, know all too well.
Their father Mark Barker died in 2010 while serving for the Royal Australian Navy.
Mum Carolyn Mitton, along with Kaela, were recipients of Legacy Westpac Grants after Mr Barker’s death — funding that allowed them to change their lives.
“Kaela got a $5000 grant at the same time I did and she went on exchange to America for a year, which was a goal of her for a very long time,” the early childhood teacher said.
An ex-serving member of the Australian Defence Force herself, Ms Mitton was granted Legacy Westpac funding to allow her to complete her Masters – in grief education.
“When life imposes a transition upon you, you need to regroup and figure out how you’re going to move on, and realising it was my responsibility to raise my three girls,” she said.
“I think the positive impact that Westpac grants have on Legacy wards and their still living parents is a beautiful thing, and help get through those tricky transitions in life.”
Similarly, Kate MacInnes was 13 when she lost her dad, Lt Colonel Andrew MacInnes seven years ago. Struggling with the idea of finishing school and pursuing tertiary education, she turned to Legacy. Receiving a Legacy Westpac Grant, Ms MacInnes moved interstate and is now in her second year of studying at the International College of Management.
To help continue educating her generation Westpac has announced a $250,000 donation for future scholarships, taking their contribution to Legacy to $1.5 million in the four-year partnership between the two organisations and News Corp Australia, centred around the annual Anzac coin collections. This week we launch the final chapter of the series — the Anzac Spirit coin collection.
“We are proud to support Legacy in the vital work they do to help the families of those who served their country,” Westpac Consumer Bank chief executive George Frazis said.
“This year the funds will go directly to help family members to find meaningful employment opportunities, which we believe will have a profound and lasting positive impact.”
Legacy Australia chairman Rick Cranna said the Anzac Spirit collection would encourage people to reflect on the legacy of war over the past 100 years – and the quintessential qualities our brave servicemen and women have displayed in serving our country. To be officially unveiled at the Australian War Memorial tomorrow, News Corp’s limited-edition coin collection will thank those who serve and shine a light on the issues faced on the home front when they return.
Executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, Michael Miller, said the release of the unique coin collection complemented the #ThanksForServing campaign that launched last week.
“In the month leading to the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, our ANZAC Spirit commemoration will encourage Australians to reflect on the legacy of war, to honour the enduring values of those who served, and to keep the Anzac stories alive,” Mr Miller said.
The first coin and a collector’s album will be free with News Corp papers this Sunday. The subsequent 14 coins will be available for $3 each, daily with the paper. Visit anzaccoincollection.com.au.