Tag: Legacy

Greenslopes Strengthens Veteran Care Legacy with Legacy House

Photo Credit: Hayball

The construction of Legacy House is set to commence on the former site of Australian Red Cross Centre at Greenslopes. This cutting-edge facility is designed to provide comprehensive health support to veterans and their families.

Photo Credit: Hayball

The new Legacy House, designed by Hayball Architects, will be built on the site of the former Australian Red Cross Centre at Greenslopes, which was originally constructed in early 1945. This location choice deliberately honours and continues Greenslopes’ long-standing commitment to veteran care.

Read: Australian Red Cross Centre in Greenslopes Up for Demolition

Graham Legerton, Hayball principal said, “This is a site and project that has great meaning for the community, state, and country. Legacy House honours this significance and ensures the site’s story, the story of our veterans, and our immense gratitude for their service continues long into the future.”

Legacy House will be situated across from the existing Greenslopes medical precinct, which includes the Keith Payne Mental Health Unit, Greenslopes Private Hospital, and Gallipoli Medical Research. This proximity creates a comprehensive care ecosystem for veterans and their families.

Legacy Brisbane CEO Brendan Cox highlighted the importance of this location, stating, “Legacy House is a vitally important step for veterans and their families, providing the support they need in life after service. Its placement in Greenslopes, with its existing medical infrastructure, allows us to provide needed, and deserved, wraparound health and support.”

Read: Greenslopes Mum Diagnosed with Unnamed Rare Cancer

The design of Legacy House incorporates elements that respect Greenslopes’ architectural heritage while providing modern, supportive spaces. Broad verandahs embrace the Queensland vernacular, while landscaped outdoor areas will link the building to the adjoining Brisbane City Council parkland, offering green spaces for families to connect and reflect.

Photo Credit: Hayball

As construction is set to commence soon, Legacy House promises to be a valuable addition to Greenslopes’ community and a continuation of its proud tradition of veteran support.

Published 7-July-2024

Legacy Moves Headquarters to Greenslopes Hospital to Enhance Veteran Support

Legacy is relocating its head office to Greenslopes Private Hospital to support veterans undergoing treatment and to provide comprehensive assistance to their families

Read: Greenslopes to Witness Urban Renewal with New Commercial Building Development

A troubling statistic revealed by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research indicates a veteran contacts emergency services every 16 hours in Queensland due to suicidal thoughts. This data, forming part of the evidence for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, highlights a critical need for better support mechanisms.

Between 2014 and 2017, 1625 Queensland veterans had interactions with police or paramedics, showing a 24% higher likelihood of suicide-related contacts compared to civilians.

Legacy’s Response and New Initiatives

In response to these alarming figures, Legacy Brisbane is moving its headquarters and planning to construct Legacy House at the Greenslopes site. The new facility aims to be a sanctuary for veterans and their families, offering both clinical and non-clinical support to address the complex mental health consequences of military conflicts.

Brendan Cox, a 26-year veteran and the CEO of Legacy Brisbane, emphasised the need for community and governmental support to realise this vision.

The project, valued at $9 million, has successfully raised $8.3 million so far, with Legacy Brisbane spearheading the Bring it Home campaign to secure the remaining funds by Anzac Day. The community’s involvement is seen as pivotal in bringing this project to fruition, providing a lifeline to veterans and their families.

Dr. Annabel McGuire, the new president of Legacy Brisbane and the spouse of a Queensland war veteran, shared her personal experience to illustrate the everyday challenges faced by returning soldiers and their families. Her account of her husband’s struggle with post-traumatic stress after serving in Iraq underlines the profound impact of war on mental health and the dire need for accessible support networks.

Legacy Brisbane encourages the community to engage with and support the Bring It Home campaign, stressing the importance of such initiatives in providing crucial services to those affected by military service. 

Read: Pioneering Prostate Cancer Treatment Hits 20-Year Milestone at Greenslopes Private Hospital

Published 29-April-2024