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Legacy's Backyard Assist program aids veterans' families with yard cleanups, helping elderly widows like Vera Walker and Jeanette Platten stay in their homes.
In Gladstone, Queensland, 90-year-old Vera Walker was surprised when more than 20 uniformed soldiers arrived at her door at 7 am on a weekday to clean up her overgrown backyard. The soldiers, part of the Army Reserve, were participating in the Legacy Backyard Assist program, which helps partners or families of deceased or injured veterans manage their overgrown yards. This initiative, run by Legacy's Brisbane division, partners with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) or corporate sponsors to provide these services.
Backyard Assist Program Overview
The Backyard Assist program, approaching its 10th birthday, assists families of veterans by cleaning up overgrown backyards. It operates through partnerships with the ADF or corporate sponsorship. In Ms Walker's case, an advocate with Legacy nominated her for the program, leading to a call asking if Army Reserve members could help. The soldiers were visiting the region as part of the biennial Exercise Austral Shield.
Ms Walker had struggled for years to get quotes for her overgrown yard. She said she had faced many knockbacks from businesses that would give a quote but not a written one. The team of soldiers trimmed overgrown trees, weeded the yard, planted new greenery, and dismantled her old brick barbecue and a shed. She joked she could now have a jazz waltz in her spacious backyard.
Ms Walker's late husband, George, served with the ADF in Thailand for six months in 1964, when their second child was just three weeks old. He died of cancer in 2005. Having lived in Gladstone for 34 years, Ms Walker, a guitar-playing country music singer, was beyond grateful for the help, enabling her to stay in her home longer.
Another Veteran's Family Helped
About 25 kilometres away in Tannum Sands, 76-year-old Jeanette Platten was also preparing for a uniform visit. She looked over her balcony and saw four uniformed reserves standing there with their guns down, saying hello. Having been nominated for Backyard Assist, the group scoped out her backyard and returned two weeks later with extra cavalry. She was also the talk of the neighbourhood.
Army Reserve horticulturists helped with replanting potted plants, cutting back large trees, and overgrown vines. Ms Platten's late husband, Lee Platten, joined the navy at 16 in 1962 and served for five years, mostly on minesweepers. After struggling with PTSD from his service, as well as Parkinson's disease and dementia, the couple moved him into an aged care facility about two hours' drive away at Emu Park, as no local spot was available. He died in 2023.
Legacy's Ongoing Commitment
Anthony Birch, interim chief executive officer of Legacy Brisbane, said the organisation has been doing this informally for almost 100 years. He emphasised the importance of supporting the aging population and keeping them in their homes as long as possible. Mr Birch said Legacy is always looking for more volunteers and envisions the Backyard Assist program continuing far into the future. He said it gives recipients a little bit of pride and is a great way to reward their service or the service of their family.
Legacy Backyard Assist Vera Walker Australian Defence Force Gladstone Jeanette Platten Army Reserve Veterans
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