Condolence

Leggett, Mr S.R.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:03): By leave, I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr Stewart Ronald Leggett, former member of the House of Assembly, and places on record its appreciation of his meritorious service, and that as a mark of respect to his memory the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

I rise to pay tribute to Stewart Leggett, former member for Hanson, who passed away on 11 April at the age of 80. A Bordertown boy, Stewart was driven by a fierce determination to excel at everything to which he turned his attention. Even a serious car accident that ended his high school studies in year 10 barely slowed him down, completing years 11 and 12 through night school while holding down a full-time retail job in Adelaide.

During his time in Bordertown, Stewart had made the acquaintance of a visiting teacher, Marion. The pair married in 1964 and were to welcome two children, Sarah and Paul, both of whom went on to become accomplished classical music performers and teachers themselves. Stewart was to become an educator himself, earning a degree in theology in 1970 and rising to senior academic positions at Pulteney Grammar and Temple Christian College, and finally headmaster of the Aldinga campus of Southern Vales Christian College until his retirement in 2005.

His time as head of drama at Pulteney also held him in good stead for the silver screen, with roles in two SA Film Corp productions: The Sound of Love in 1978 and Wrong Side of the Road in 1981. Throughout his career Stewart was also living his faith. He had been verger at one of Adelaide's oldest churches, Holy Trinity of North Terrace, and after his retirement he maintained his connection through Victor Harbor Trinity Church, and regularly filled in as pastor of the Victor Harbor Church of Christ, where his memorial service was held last week on 24 April.

Stewart also had a lifelong passion for sport—tennis, cricket and particularly the AFL. A dedicated player throughout his youth, he served as a premiership coach of the North Adelaide Central District amateur league and was later to contribute further to SA football as chaplain for the Norwood Football Club.

Somehow, amongst his duties to education, church, sport, drama and family, he also found time to pursue a career in politics. Stewart ran for the Senate in 1974 under the banner of Steele Hall's Liberal Movement, formed by the former Premier during the Liberal and Country League's internal ructions, and chose to follow Hall into the Liberal Party of South Australia. His longstanding commitment to the Liberal Party was vindicated by their landslide victory in 1993 when he entered state parliament as the member for Hanson, a now vanished seat in the western suburbs, whose boundaries once covered a good chunk of the divisions of Badcoe and West Torrens.

Stewart's time in this chamber was brief but impactful. During that time, he proved himself a man of strong principle, unafraid to take stands on principle, even if they clashed with the government of which he was a part, most notably on the introduction of Sunday trading, which he believed would benefit large traders at the expense of Adelaide's small businesses.

He was also a passionate advocate for the recruitment of more women to run and serve in parliament, and his unwavering religious convictions guided his staunch opposition to the decriminalisation of sex work and voluntary assisted dying. These principles also guided his brief return to the political sphere in 1999, running as a Legislative Council candidate for Fred Nile's Call to Australia Party.

His retirement at Victor Harbor did not mark the end of his public life. He ran a close second in the district's 2010 mayoral campaign, and was a long-time presenter on the region's community radio station Happy FM. His pursuit of all these professional, political, sporting and spiritual endeavours was made possible by the stability offered by his beloved family.

Tragically, Paul Leggett drowned in a freak car accident near Alice Springs in 2016, and Stewart's beloved Marion passed away in 2019 following a long illness, calling time on 55 magnificent years of marriage. But appropriately enough, it was his work with Happy FM that Stewart was to find new joy as a friendship with fellow volunteer Jackie blossomed into love and then marriage.

We offer our sincere condolences to Stewart's family and loved ones, particularly his beloved Jackie, his daughter, Sarah, and his grandchildren Ellen and Sam. I move that the motion be commended to the house.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): I second the motion and today rise on behalf of the opposition to also pay tribute to the life and legacy of Stewart Leggett, the former Liberal member for Hanson from 1993 to 1997, a man who certainly served his community with great humility, faith, courage and compassion.

As we have heard, he was born in Bordertown on 18 December 1944 during what was certainly a turbulent time of war, but from his earliest days he carried with him a spirit of optimism and determination that would certainly shape the course of his life. Even after a very serious accident that effectively ended his formal schooling in year 10, Stewart's passion for education and self-improvement never wavered. He completed his senior studies through night school and became a teacher. His teaching career spanned schools such as Pulteney Grammar, and Temple College, where he rose to become Vice Principal, and then later he became Principal at Southern Vales Christian College's Aldinga campus. He brought passion, humour and an unwavering commitment to his students, touching countless lives along the way.

Stewart's contribution to public life extended way beyond the classroom. In 1993, as we have heard, he was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the Liberal member for Hanson. His election marked a proud moment, a very proud moment, for his family and community, bringing to parliament a man of integrity, compassion and strong convictions. During his parliamentary service, from 1993 to 1997, Stewart distinguished himself through his work on the Social Development Committee where he focused on some of the most challenging and often overlooked issues of our time: supporting families, improving community welfare and pushing for reform in areas such as the prison system.

He spoke passionately about the need to eradicate drug use and sexual violence within our prisons, not because it was always politically expedient but because it was morally right. And that was the essence of Stewart Leggett from those who knew him best, that he was guided by his principles, not necessarily his popularity, all the time. His time in this place was also marked by very deep friendships from right across the political spectrum. That is why we have members like the former Speaker Mick Atkinson, Joe Scalzi, Joan Hall and others here today.

It is often said that he treated his competitors in politics like he treated his opponents in sport. He did not see them as political enemies, necessarily, but as equal contributors to our democratic system. These friendships extended way beyond the course of his political career. He treated those political opponents with respect. I know that they continued to visit him right until his final days. Stewart built strong bonds with various colleagues, who are here to pay their respects today. These relationships certainly endured far beyond the rigours of his parliamentary life.

Stewart also remained true to his Christian values throughout his career. Even when he offered a minority report on sensitive issues, he never compromised what he believed. His work reflected a deep commitment to what he said would be a fairer, more just society, a society where dignity and compassion prevailed. After leaving parliament at the 1997 election, as we have heard, Stewart continued a life of service. He worked as a senior adviser to the Premier and Deputy Premier of the state and then contributed to education once more as a principal. He also served on the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board, advocating for accountability and ethical leadership in public life.

Beyond his professional and political achievements, he was a man of many passions. As we have heard, he was a talented footballer and tennis player in his youth, and he then captained and coached North Adelaide Centrals to a premiership in 1967. That sporting spirit endured throughout his life, and he remained a loyal and passionate supporter of the Adelaide Crows.

He was also a gifted communicator and performer and, as we have heard, he acted in musical productions like Oliver! and Noah's Flood and appeared in South Australian Film Corporation movies such as Wrong Side of the Road and The Sound of Love. In later years, Stewart's love of radio shone through, as he became a beloved voice at local station 90.9 FM in Victor Harbor, where he shared some stories and interviewed local and international sport heroes alike.

Yet, perhaps Stewart's greatest pride and joy was his family. He was a proud father, a grandfather and a husband whose love and support of his family were unwavering. His eyes lit up when speaking about his grandchildren, Ellen and Sam. In his final years, even as illness took its toll, Stewart continued to live with grace, humour and a strong spirit. His life was a rich tapestry woven with service, family, faith and community. He was a teacher, a preacher, a politician, a performer, a sportsman, a husband, a father, a grandfather, above all a man of deep heart and unwavering spirit.

On behalf of the Liberal Party and the opposition, I extend our deepest sympathies to Stewart's wife, his daughter, Sarah, his grandchildren Ellen and Sam, and his close friends, including Mick, Joe and Joan. As an educator, a community leader and a member of parliament in this place, he will certainly long be remembered. His values, his humour and his humanity touched so many lives, and his legacy of service will live on. May he rest in peace.