29/08/2021
People like Dot live forever in how we serve and respect one another with kindness and grace.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We have lost a very dear friend with the passing yesterday of Dot Leigh.
Tireless in her advocacy and agitation for provision of rights, entitlements and recognition for and of persons with intellectual disability and families, Dot was well qualified, both as a parent and exposure to discrimination in the education sector. She had a strong social conscience and served on a number of school councils. Having joined a children’s play group when her children were pre-school, she experienced the comfort and need for support personally and which should be available to other parents of children with disability. Work of that type consumed a greater part of her life; Dot was the founding convenor of the Geelong Parents Network and a member of GenU (formerly Karingal).
Dot was the inaugural President of VALID and served in that capacity, and another period as vice President for a combined 25 years. She was proud to serve in those roles and to be a member of VALID as it grew and achieved changes for people with intellectual disability and their families. She was especially loyal and supportive of Kevin Stone and the VALID staff, and was highly respected and valued by the Committee of Management. We will miss her greatly.
John Handley
VALID President
