The journey that sparked a legacy

It was the 1970s, and newlyweds Tricia and Roger were doing what many young couples dreamed of at the time. They’d shipped their combi van from Australia into Asia and set off on a six-month adventure, winding their way from India through many Asian countries before eventually making their way to England.

Theirs was no ordinary honeymoon. The poverty and hardship they witnessed during their travels is never forgotten.

“We saw how the other half lived,” Tricia recalls. “It alters your perspective. You come back changed.”

One moment stands out vividly. They had pulled over on a quiet road in India to boil a cup of tea when a young priest rode up on a Vespa and stopped to chat.

“He was working with World Vision,” says Tricia. “That meeting left an impression on us. He was so sincere and passionate about the work World Vision was doing in the region.”

Not long after they moved back to Australia, Tricia and Roger began sponsoring a child through World Vision. It was the start of a commitment that has lasted more than 40 years, and it’s a decision they have never regretted.

“World Vision has always struck the right balance,” says Tricia. “It’s values-based, with a Christian foundation, but not overtly religious. Most importantly, it’s transparent and efficient. Roger and I know our support is going where it’s needed.”

In all, the couple has sponsored seven children with two sponsorships ongoing today. Tricia has kept the letters and photos of the children they’ve supported over the years.

“I recently sorted through them,” she said. “You see these children grow, smiling a little more with each photo. One boy, from Ethiopia, we supported through his teens. I looked at his final photo and I remember thinking at the time: He’ll be able to support a family now. He stayed in school. He has a future. It’s such a privilege to know that our sponsorship helped play a part in that lifelong impact. ”

Tricia particularly values the ripple effects of education.

“For girls, the difference is profound,” she says. “Staying in school means learning about hygiene, vaccines, nutrition. These are things that change not just their lives, but their communities.”

A sense of ‘giving back’ is deeply woven into Tricia and Roger’s lives.

The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and spent their careers in service to others: Tricia as a scientist and educator focused on infectious diseases and global health, and Roger as a medical physicist who helped introduce diagnostic imaging technology to hospitals.

Their giving to World Vision goes beyond monthly sponsorship. It’s a family tradition.

“My daughter now sponsors a child through World Vision,” says Tricia. “And before that, my mother did too. It’s something that’s been passed down, and I suppose we just absorbed it…this idea that giving to others is simply what you do.”

Now, Tricia and Roger have taken another step in their journey of giving. They’ve included a gift in their Will to World Vision. Tricia says it’s a natural extension of their ongoing support for the organisation.

“We’ve supported World Vision for decades,” Tricia says. “We trust them. They’re efficient, they’re transparent, and they always direct resources to where they’re most needed.”

Tricia hopes their gift might help build something lasting, like a hospital or a school, or support salaries for those working on projects in communities of need. But she has faith that it will be used where the need is greatest. “I know they’ll use it wisely,” she says.

Tricia is keen to remind others that generosity isn’t reserved for the wealthy. “A legacy gift doesn’t have to be grand and is very manageable after the sale of the family home..”

Thanks to their legacy, Tricia and Roger’s values of compassion and kindness will continue to bring hope to children and communities for years to come.

Charity: World Vision Australia