Five decades of service and test driving a hybrid vehicle

For 99 years, Legacy has kept its promise to support the families of veterans. Born off the back of a promise between two mates on the battlefield in 1923 to look after one another’s families if one should perish, Legacy WA today supports more than 3,200 service families.

Today, the Governor joined Mr Peter Emmett President of Legacy WA, Mr Matt Granger CEO of Legacy WA, Mr Eric Easterbrook OAM President of Legacy Australia Incorporated and Mr Graham Boyd CEO of Legacy Australia Incorporated in recognising the efforts of two very special volunteers. Mr John Burridge MG and Brigadier (Ret’d) Duncan Warren AM RFD have dedicated 50 years to serving families of those affected by service.

President of Legacy WA, Mr Peter Emmett, shares a few words about the award recipients.

“Legacy and its role in supporting veterans and their families has a special bond with many in the community, and I count myself and my family among them.

My grandmother, Vera, was a war widow, and in her loss she was supported by this fine institution.”

Mr John Burridge MG receives his certificate of recognition.

Mr John Burridge MG has held numerous roles over this time, including membership of the Board of Management and as President from 1995-1996 and again from 2014-2016. He is a military antique dealer based in Cottesloe, from where he and other Legatees and volunteers have organised militaria auctions for many years, raising in excess of $250,000 for Legacy WA. John was joined today by his wife Margaret, another Legatee. Together they have organised over 25 kids’ camps at Legacy WA’s camp in Busselton. John’s military service was in Vietnam with 5RAR as a machine gunner where, for his actions under fire—including being wounded in both legs—he received the Medal for Gallantry.

Brigadier (Ret’d) Duncan Warren AM RFD is congratulated after the ceremony.

Brigadier (Ret’d) Duncan Warren AM RFD has also held numerous roles within Legacy WA, including member and chairman of various committees, Board of Management and President from 1980-1981, he has also represented Legacy on numerous committees outside of the orginsation. He was joined today by his wife Lysbeth. A retired chartered accountant, he spent 25 years with Coca-Cola Amatil Limited in accounting and business systems management. Duncan was a National Service Infantry Platoon Commander in Vietnam. He then spent many years in the Army reserve retiring as a Brigadier at 13 Brigade in WA.

The Governor chats with members of Legacy after the event.

“We thank you for your service to our nation in battle and to Legacy. We know that more Vietnam veterans were lost to suicide than in combat and I am advised that there are many in the Legacy family who would not be here without your support.

As we face an uncertain world with conflict around us and escalating tension in our region, your service shines as an example of patriotism and selflessness to inspire the next generation of Western Australian service men and women.”

Down electric avenue

Fremantle based control systems engineering company Lycaon Group drove into Government House Gardens today, bringing their latest project with them.

Mr Luke Beumont Barrett and Mr Josh Watkins explain the science behind the vehicle.

The Autonomous Hybrid Vehicle (AHV) is a combination hydrogen/electricity-powered car. Whist uses for the vehicle are still being explored, the company engineers and manufactures a range of hardware and software products designed for remote and harsh locations such as mining sites. On display today was the company’s capacity in remotely operated and autonomous unmanned systems.

Mr Barrett shows off what’s under the hood.

Lycaon Group Director, Mr Luke Beumont Barrett, alongside Principal Engineer Mr Josh Watkins explained that whilst the project was still in its infancy, the ultimate aim is to deliver an off-road vehicle capable of entering emergency and disaster zones so as to improve response times, act as a means to deliver equipment and remove injured personnel and provide reconnaissance information. The vehicle also has farming, mining and defence prospects.

The team follow the Autonomous Hybrid Vehicle as it drives around the Gardens.

Lycaon Group also designs and produces aerial drones (quad-copter and fixed-wing), ground vehicles and surface and subsurface maritime equipment, alongside works in Control Systems Engineering (with Siemens, Schneider, Allen Bradley, Emerson); Process Engineering including controller design, modelling and instrumentation specification; Operational Technology Infrastructure (designs, builds and maintains operational technology for critical assets); activity in the green energy space including the integration and development of hybrid and off-grid power generation technologies including solar farms, battery energy storage, thermal and hydrogen power; and assisting clients with Embedded Systems and Product Development including the development of prototypes through to manufacturing.

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