Published on: 22nd March 2023
Today, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia has bestowed the Bravery Award to Ms Leonie May Jackson. As our community will know, Leonie passed away in 2021 during an incredible act of bravery protecting her family.
Leonie is remembered as a colleague, friend and community champion, a pioneer of bilingual Deaf education in Australia, and throughout her teaching, corporate and not-for-profit career she championed the rights of deaf children.
The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery where people selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others. The order of Australia is the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service. Recipients are recognised because they have gone above and beyond in their contribution to the community.
The official citation for Leonie’s award is “The late Ms Leonie Jackson displayed considerable bravery for her actions rescuing her two children from a rip in Congo, New South Wales on 17 January 2021.”
We are extremely proud to share this announcement and celebrate the achievements of our friend and colleague, Leonie Jackson. Vale.
