[PDFlist] FW: Passing of Dr Kevin Murfitt AM

[Setareki Macanawai]

Warm Pacific Greetings PDF Family and friends

Sharing with you the email below from Co-Chair Latoa on the passing away of our colleague Dr Kevin Murfitt who represented WBU Oceania Subregion in past PDF regional conferences and chaired the Pacific DPO Fund successfully in his term.

May Kevin’s legacy inspire us to serve our community with commitment, passion and to the best of our ability.

Seta

Setareki S. Macanawai

Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Disability Forum
Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade
GPO Box 18458, Suva, Fiji

Tel: +679 331 2008; +679 773 0200
Mob: +679 992 1486; +679 708 2891
Fax: +679 3310469
Skype: setareki.macanawai
Email: Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org<mailto:Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org>
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From: Latoa Halatau-Talagi MNZM <la at visionpacific.org.nz>
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 12:07 PM
To: Setareki Macanawai <Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org>; 'Jacqueline Garoau' <jgaroau at gmail.com>
Cc: 'Latoa Halatau-Talagi MNZM' <la at visionpacific.org.nz>
Subject: FW: Passing of Dr Kevin Murfitt AM



Dear Co-Chair Jacqueline, and CEO Seta
It is  with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of  a  good friend to the  the Pacific Disability Forum,  Dr. Kevin Murfitt  known to us all as Kevin.  Kevin was involved with PDF as one of our previous Independent Chair to the DPO Fund and also helped the important constitutional changes  for PDF along our journey. Hevin was a calm, voice which gave assurance that PDF  need not fear a sensible solution to make governance structures easier at the time.
Kevin’s abilities extended beyond his professional spheres of influence in the human rights advocacy and leadership space and an education at tertiary level.

Kevin was an athlete  and competed in waterskiing, and liked to run and worked out in the gym, and during our PDF Conferences, I would along with my dear friend the late Rakesh Chand ,  find Kevin working out in the gym before our morning Conference work shop sessions.
Kevin’s friends in the Pacific region are grateful for his life and a great human being. The Board extends our  gratitude to Kevins family.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Francois for his unconditional love and caring support to Kevin. We will always share the good memories and warm friendship.
From Latoa and Tewai, from New Zealand.


Latoa Halatau-Talagi MNZM
Co-Chair
Pacific Disabilty Forum




From: bca-announcements at groups.io<mailto:bca-announcements at groups.io> <bca-announcements at groups.io<mailto:bca-announcements at groups.io>> On Behalf Of BCA
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2023 12:08 PM
To: bca-announcements at groups.io<mailto:bca-announcements at groups.io>
Subject: [bca-announcements] Vale Dr Kevin Murfitt OAM

On behalf of the Australian blind and low vision community, Vision Australia and Blind Citizens Australia wish to pay tribute to the life and achievements and recognise the outstanding community contributions of Dr Kevin Murfitt OAM.
Over the course of his life, Kevin created a lasting legacy for his contributions to Vision Australia, Blind Citizens Australia, World Blind Union Asia Pacific and numerous other areas and initiatives that have had a direct and positive impact for the blind and low vision community.
Prior to the formation of Vision Australia, Kevin served as Vice President of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. He also gave 12 years of dedicated service on the Board of Vision Australia, including 10 years as Chair.
Kevin was also a Director on the Disability Services Board of the Victorian State Government and in 2006 he was conferred his Doctor of Philosophy from Deakin University, with his research focussing on diversity and employment.
In 2002, Kevin received a Human Rights Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission for contributing to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) Accessible Public Transport Standards.
In 2017, Kevin was awarded a medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for his extensive service to the blindness and low vision community.
Ron Hooton, Vision Australia CEO, said Kevin would be remembered as a pillar of the disability community across Australia and the world.
“Today is a sad day for our community. Not only was Kevin instrumental in the formation of Vision Australia, his years of selfless service across the blind and low vision community have had a massive impact that will never be forgotten,” Ron said.
“From everyone at Vision Australia, we offer our condolences to Kevin’s family and friends, and our thoughts are with them,” he said.
Kevin lost his sight as a young adult following a car accident and faced the transition to a world without sight suddenly and courageously.
His advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities took shape with his leadership of the Villa Manta legal service in Geelong where his strong human rights ethos was a beacon of hope for many people with intellectual disability.
A different side of Kevin was his high achievement in sport, holding world records for water skiing.
Kevin was also a member of Dog Guide Handlers Australia and was an active member of the Achilles running club for many years, and the Melbourne branch of Blind Citizens Australia.
Fiona Woods, Blind Citizens Australia President, said Kevin's professional and personal life exemplified what is possible for people who are blind or vision impaired.
“He showed us and our community how barriers can be dismantled. Kevin will be mourned and remembered by many as a kind man who loved life. Our thoughts are with his husband, Francois, and their family and friends."
Please find below the details for Kevin’s funeral, which will allow both in-person and online attendance.
In-person funeral:
Kings Chapel
130 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb
Thursday, 14th December 2023 at 2:00pm
Post-service gathering:
Elephant and Castle Hotel, Geelong
A video link for virtual attendance<https://achilles-sydney.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b75c8da5e7e07f3a5e7a778ea&id=29717ed453&e=b0a042e212> has been made available.
Any stories or memories can also be shared on Kevin’s eTribute page<https://achilles-sydney.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b75c8da5e7e07f3a5e7a778ea&id=b1d67afe3e&e=b0a042e212>.

Blind Citizens Australia
Email: bca at bca.org.au<mailto:bca at bca.org.au>
Phone: 1800 033 660
Website: [www.bca.org.au]www.bca.org.au<http://www.bca.org.au>

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ABN: 90 006 985 226

BCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea, and community. We also pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past, present, and future.

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