[PDFlist] [PDF-members] FW: Passing of Dr Kevin Murfitt AM

Thu Dec 14 09:27:23 +12 2023

Dear Setareki,

Thanks for sharing this information with us it is a sad news and a great
loss for the Disability movement it is an inspiration to all of us.
Fly high Kevin RIP till we meet again.

Blessings.

Rhema

On Thu, 14 Dec 2023, 6:37 am Setareki Macanawai, <
Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org> wrote:

> 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
>
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>
> Email: 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 <bca-announcements at groups.io> *On
> Behalf Of *BCA
> *Sent:* Monday, December 11, 2023 12:08 PM
> *To:* 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
>
> *Phone:* 1800 033 660
>
> *Website*: [www.bca.org.au]www.bca.org.au
>
>
>
> <https://www.facebook.com/BlindCitizensAustralia>
> <https://twitter.com/au_BCA>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> Read our Privacy Disclaimer <https://www.bca.org.au/privacy-disclaimer/>
>
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