Unravelling an Amazing Life - with Judith Leeson AM
- Andrew Lord
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
20th October, 2025
The Power of Purpose: An Interview with Lifelong Educator and Advocate
I recently sat down with one of the most inspiring people I've met. For me personally, she gave me courage to hope - hope that change IS possible, and that the challenges I have faced in education are not unusual - they've been faced before - and in many of Judith's stories - overcome!
Judith and I had a long and enthralling conversation, which I have decided to split over 3 (maybe 4) episodes.
In each, we bring out the key adventures that have shaped her 70+ year career - exploring her extraordinary journey from an early childhood teacher to a tireless advocate for disadvantaged individuals, a leader in career development and aged care.
Now at 91, Judith’s philosophy of "love" and unwavering dedication to improving lives shines through every chapter of her story...
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
(COMING SOON!)
A Foundation in Education and Innovation
Judith began her career as a teacher, quickly moving into early childhood education and becoming a school principal. Driven not by promotion, but by a deep desire to serve people, she became a true innovator:
Pioneering Programs: While a principal at a school in a low socio-economic district, she initiated what may have been the first morning school care program to support working parents.
Literacy Boost: She developed a reading program where children created their own stories and books, fostering engagement and confidence.
The "Secret" is Love: Her time teaching in the slums of Bethnal Green, London, gave her significant insight into poverty and disadvantage. She came to believe the "secret" to working with disadvantaged children is "love," defined as the total acceptance of each unique individual.
Disrupting the Status Quo in Special Education
Upon returning to Australia, Judith transitioned to special education, becoming a "disruptor" in South Australia by advocating for the deinstitutionalisation of people with disabilities. Her belief was clear: everyone deserves a home, safety, and stable relationships.
A highlight of this period was directing one of Australia’s first parent-professional partnership programs for children with Down syndrome at Flinders University. This early intervention program achieved remarkable results. Building on evidence-based, developmental interventions, with full parental and family participation, expectations were gradually lifted and the seeds were sown for a hope-filled future.
Hope and Evidence in Career Development
After facing personal and professional challenges, Judith’s path led her unexpectedly into career development, helping long-term unemployed individuals. Spotting an ethical conflict with a former employer, she chose to establish her own evidence-based training course.
Her courses became a beacon of hope, demonstrating participants' capabilities through an uplifting use of standardised testing, boosting self-esteem, and leading to a high employment rate for people who had previously given up on themselves. Judith’s influence extended nationally; as president of the career counselors association, she was pivotal in lobbying the government to create and inform the development of the essential lifelong learning tool, myfuture.edu.au.
A New Mission: Transforming Aged Care
Judith Leeson AM’s current mission is to bring innovation and person-centered approaches to aged care, a passion inspired by her experience nursing her mother with Alzheimer’s.
She highlights a staggering challenge: 64% of people in residential aged care are clinically depressed. The root cause, she argues, is often the loss of purpose and meaning upon entering these facilities.
Judith is now a passionate advocate for:
Person-Centered Care: Care that acknowledges a resident's past achievements and promotes continued purpose and meaning.
Holistic Needs: Addressing the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals, not just the physical.
Listening to Life Stories: Understanding a person’s values and identifying what has given their life meaning.
Judith Leeson AM’s life philosophy—making your own good fortune by saying "yes" to opportunities and never giving up—serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and continuous growth. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of dedication, evidence, and, most importantly, love.
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