Legacy

Craig Leto may have learned from an early age he can’t control the wind, but he can certainly adjust his sails and QAS Legacy has been proudly supporting him through this journey.

Craig and his mum Louise recently travelled to Brisbane from their home in Tasmania for Craig to receive his dad Zachary (Zac) Leto’s posthumous National Medal.

Zac, a popular member of the service, had started his career in 1993 as an honorary Ambulance Officer and worked his way to Intensive Care Paramedic, serving the Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Emerald communities. Zac and his three-year-old daughter Ashley were both tragically killed in a car accident on 11 May 2005. Louise was pregnant with Craig at the time of Zac’s passing.

QAS Legacy Scheme has been providing ongoing support to ambulance family members left behind like Craig and Louise.

We last caught up with Craig as an 11-year-old in 2017 and his love for the ocean has continued with the years.

Now, he’s 15 (going on 30 according to Louise) and Craig said QAS Legacy has helped him pursue this dream.

“Because of QAS Legacy I’ve been able to attend a great school, go on school camps, and I’ve also been attending Australian Navy Cadets, which is something I really love,” Craig said.

“QAS Legacy also provided me with pretty important tools like a laptop for school, so I’d really like to thank those who contribute to it, for helping to make my dreams a reality.”

Louise said Craig has a long list of plans for his future.

“Some of his plans include becoming a Marine Technician in the Royal Australian Navy,” Louise said.

“He loves sailing, so he wants to win line honours in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, and the Rolex Fastnet Race. Sailing is what he lives for.

“The contribution QAS Legacy provides makes the world of difference to me financially as the money I receive for Craig goes directly to his school fees for the year and I am able to send him to a fantastic school which has helped shape him into an amazing young man.

“It would not have been possible for me to make this choice for him without this support,” Louise said.

“QAS Legacy provides much more than money to us though; it provides Craig with a connection to his Dad and the service he loved so much,” Louise said.

“QAS was Zac’s driving force, and Craig has inherited the same drive and tenacity his Dad had.

“Recently we had the opportunity to meet with some of Zac’s former colleagues and they told stories to Craig about his Dad.

“Craig was humbled and proud to hear the level of respect people had for Zac, so having QAS Legacy as part of our lives keeps that invisible string connecting us to an organisation that was family to me and for this, I’ll be forever grateful,” Louise said.

“Craig and I have a wonderful life and we are settled and happy. Zac and Ashley are in my heart and my thoughts every day. We were somehow spared in the accident that took Zac and Ash – I don’t know why or how – but one thing I do know is that Craig is going to achieve great things in his life, and Zac and Ash will be sitting on his shoulder going along for the ride.”

“We’d both like to thank everyone who contributes to QAS Legacy, you make a momentous difference to lives.”

The QAS Legacy Scheme is predominantly funded through fortnightly tax-deductible payroll contributions from current members.

Other funding comes from bequests and tax-free donations, often from retired ambulance officers, Local Ambulance Committees or members of the public expressing their appreciation for work done by ambulance staff in the community.

You can help QAS Legacy Scheme continue to provide its valuable programs by donating. Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible and will assist with the ongoing support of all ‘QAS Legacy families’.

Group photo: QAS Legacy’s President Jamie Rhodes-Bates, Vice President Amy Gomes, Craig Leto and his mum Louise with QAS Legacy Board Member Drew Peters.