Leneen Forde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leneen Forde
AC DStJ
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| 22nd Governor of Queensland | |
| In office 29 July 1992 – 29 July 1997 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | Wayne Goss Rob Borbidge |
| Preceded by | Sir Walter Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Peter Arnison |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Marguerite Leneen Kavanagh
12 May 1935 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Spouses |
Gerald Forde
(m. 1955; died 1966)Angus McDonald
(m. 1983; died 1993) |
| Relations | Frank Forde (father-in-law) |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Solicitor |
Mary Marguerite Leneen Forde (born 12 May 1935) is a Canadian-born Australian who had an important career in law and public service. She was a lawyer and later became the 22nd Governor of Queensland from 1992 to 1997. She also led a major inquiry into the safety of children in institutions.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Leneen Forde was born Mary Marguerite Leneen Kavanagh in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Before moving to Australia in 1954, she worked as a medical laboratory technician. She also studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree part-time.
In 1955, she married Gerald Forde. His father, Frank Forde, was a former Prime Minister of Australia. Leneen and Gerald Forde had five children together. After her husband passed away in 1966, she began studying law full-time.
Career in Law and Public Service
Leneen Forde earned her law degree from the University of Queensland in 1970. She started working as a lawyer in 1971. For many years, from 1974 to 1992, she was a partner at a law firm. She was in charge of cases related to wills and estates.
Before becoming Governor, Forde was the international president of Zonta International. This is a service organization for women. She held this important role from 1990 to 1992. In 1992, she was also chosen to lead the Queensland Women's Consultative Council.
Governor of Queensland
In 1992, Leneen Forde made history when she was appointed the Governor of Queensland. She was only the second woman to become a state governor in Australia. The first was Dame Roma Mitchell, who became Governor of South Australia in 1991.
Forde was married to Angus McDonald, a retired police officer. He became the first male spouse of a governor in Australia. Leneen Forde served as Governor until 1997.
Forde Inquiry and Child Safety
After her time as Governor, Leneen Forde took on another very important role. In 1998, she was asked to lead a special investigation. This was called the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions.
The Inquiry looked into the safety of children in many different institutions between 1911 and 1999. Forde presented the report to the Queensland Government in May 1999. The report made 42 recommendations to improve child protection. It also suggested ways to help those who had experienced harm in the past.
As a result of the Inquiry, many positive changes happened. These included official apologies to those affected and the creation of memorials. A special fund, the Forde Foundation Trust Fund, was set up to help. Community support services were also established to provide ongoing help.
Awards and Recognition
Leneen Forde has received many honours for her contributions.
- On 26 January 1993, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her work in law, her efforts to improve the status of women, and her role in economic and business development.
- She is also a Dame of Grace in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
- In 1991, she was named Queenslander of the Year.
