THE life of a Catholic education “visionary” was remembered last week following his sudden death on January 28.
BCE executive director David Hutton described Leo Dunne, 79, as “one of the great leaders in Catholic education in Australia”.
“Leo has … contributed generously at many levels over his lifetime,” Mr Hutton said.
“(He) was one of the early leaders in the Queensland Parents and Friends and was the first employed Queensland P&F executive officer.”
Mr Dunne was also a member of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) from 1980-2000, the National Catholic Education Commission from 1984-1992 and president of the Australian Parents’ Council for more than a decade from 1992.
QCEC executive director Mike Byrne said Mr Dunne was “a giant of parent advocacy for Catholic schools”.
“He was still active championing the cause of education until his passing,” Mr Byrne said.
“Together with Alan Druery (executive director of QCEC) the two formed a formidable team representing the interests of Catholic education to government during a time of great challenge and change.
“Leo was very clear in his vision for Catholic education and its aims.
“All of us owe a huge debt of gratitude for the generosity and goodness of a great man who made an enormous contribution to Catholic education.”
In retirement Mr Dunne continued to serve as an ongoing member of the Queensland Catholic Education Council’s Political Advisory Committee.
“In his ‘retirement’ Leo dedicated himself to improving indigenous literacy through the development of ‘the Indigenous Parent Factor’ program and by obtaining government funding for that program,” Mr Hutton said.
“I am privileged to have worked with Leo over a lengthy period and I valued his commitment to church, wisdom, professionalism, generosity, courtesy and good humour.”
Mr Hutton echoed the sympathies of all in BCE and QCEC circles and beyond when he offered condolences to Mr Dunne’s wife Joyce and son Steven who is a senior performance and development officer at the Brisbane Catholic Education Office and their extended family members.
