Introduction from the CEO There have been many highlights and successes for Living Legends over the first half of 2008. We have touched the hearts and minds of visitors of all ages from across Australia and around the world as highlighted in excerpts from testimonials and feedback provided below. The community benefits of Living Legends continue to expand with formation of a new volunteer garden group, the ongoing Work for the Dole program and expanded visits and involvement with community groups and schools. Living Legends has also been identified as a “landmark tourism destination” in the Hume Region and as a gateway location for the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges area. Financially it has been a very difficult year for Living Legends with the Equine Influenza lock down causing crippling losses. Financial support failed to materialize after an initial enthusiastic response from the State Government and Racing Victoria has been unable to assist because of its changed financial circumstances and the challenges associated with the high rental costs of the Racing Museum based in Federation Square. It is an extraordinarily important time for the survival of Living Legends at the moment and we are asking you to make an extraordinary commitment to our future. With the end of the current financial fast approaching donations made before June 30th will be deductible in the current taxation year. There cannot be a better time to make your donation. Please give generously. Dr Andrew Clarke Chief Executive Officer and Veterinary Director Living Legends Tax Appeal 2008 In this extraordinary year for Living Legends, we are asking our supporters to assist us by extending your reach a little further and making a tax deductible donation in this financial year. All donations of $2.00 or more made to Living Legends are tax deductible and all donations made before 30th June 2008 are tax deductible in the current financial year. Please click on the link HERE for details of how to make your donation or telephone Dr Andrew Clarke on 040 755 1289. Visitor Feedback “Hi Andrew. Just wanted to say Thank You…. My daughters bought me out to Living Legends as a Birthday surprise last week. ...... It was a great thrill to be up so close to these Magnificent Champions…… My eldest daughter lost her first baby (our first grandchild) on Caulfield Cup day last year. It was a little boy and they named him "Reilly" after Master O'Reilly who won the Caulfield Cup. It is amazing how some of these Beautiful Horses can have a real emotional tie to some families. You actually did share some similar stories with us last week. Thank You once again.” M.J. “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to see the beautiful horses up close….I had the best day and I will always remember it……It was the best way to celebrate my 11th Birthday. Thanks for being part of it.” L O’L. “Recently we bought a group of older adults to visit Living legends…..We all had a great day and can highly recommend it to anyone who loves horses or history.” Kay “We would like to say that we had a great time at Living Legends yesterday. Lucille (5) was so excited to see Might and Power…. Vanessa (8) and Scarlett (11) also loved all the horses. The homestead was beautiful and we had a picnic lunch in the garden. What a beautiful place to spend a day…..We will certainly be back to spend another day at Living Legends.” Kathryn. “On behalf of my friends (Val, Marie & Ian) & myself, I wish to thank you for enabling us to have such a wonderful day yesterday. What a wonderful place!. What an ideal place for our “Retired Racehorses” – they all looked so contented!. The Homestead, Gardens – Picnic areas etc. are so beautiful ( I loved the Magnolias)…..We all left a donation in the ‘Box’ – hoping that it may help in some small way towards the Operations.” Val P. “I visited LL on Sunday and was so pleased to see the Legends…” M. B. “Thanks for the great day…. all the clients and staff had a ball, great photos as well. My Aunt who is 84 would love a visit as she loves horses, kept her own horse in the back yard in Camberwell in the 1930`s…” Judy S-A. “I was talking with Wendy Green and when I told her we were having a day in Melbourne en-route from Auckland NZ to Darwin she suggested we visit the “Living Legends… thanks again for our visit…I think you will get a rush now… we told everyone we saw and they all want to come….” Perry S. “We've been back in England now ….and we thought we must drop you a line to say a big thank you …. We turned up on a stiflingly hot day (Monday, 10 March), the day we were returning to the UK….to see the wonderful horses you look after so well ……a very interesting guided tour of the house…It was the perfect and most memorable way to end our journey in the southern hemisphere……We have popped a donation in the post….again many thanks and we wish you all the very best for the future.” Christine and Tom M. Special Events, Tours and Activities Check out the web site for upcoming special events including picnic and heritage days and a full program of Spring Carnival events. Living Legends is also an ideal venue for private and corporate functions. Check out the web site or contact Andrew Clarke on Mob 0407 551 289 for more details. If you would like to unsubscribe from this e-newsletter, please email newsletter@livinglegends.org.au. For more information about Living Legends, please visit our website at www.livinglegends.org.au or email info@livinglegends.org.au. If your email client has blocked the images and/or hyperlinks from this e-newsletter, you can view it online at: http://www.livinglegends.org.au/enewsletter/june_08.html |