Gascoyne champion: fond memories of Carnarvon identity Kevin Leahy

Carnarvon identity and former Northern Rivers representative Kevin Leahy passed away at a care facility in the Perth suburb of Melville late last month. In delivering his eulogy, friend and former parliamentary colleague Tom Stephens painted a picture of a fun-loving family man and avid punter who made many friends. “Kevin was passionate about Carnarvon and the Gascoyne region generally, completely one-eyed,” Mr Stephens said. “Everything about the place was bigger: the people were better; the sun was brighter; the bananas were sweeter; the prawns were tastier, and –— just sometimes — the horses were faster.” After an earlier career as clerk of courts in various parts of WA Mr Leahy settled in Carnarvon with his family at age 33, staying almost 40 years. “Kevin easily formed friendships — so many of these were local friendships in Carnarvon,” Mr Stephens said. “Some of these immediately come to my mind like local pilot Len Paggi; and Aboriginal Legal Service liaison officer, the late Norm McMahon; and plantation owner Marko Gaspar.” On his third tilt at Parliament Mr Leahy was elected Labor member for Northern Rivers in 1989, serving as opposition whip for three years and holding the seat until it was abolished in 1996. He briefly filled a casual vacancy created when Mr Stephens, who had been Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, resigned in 2004. He served the remaining seven months until the 2005 election. “Throughout his term and beyond, Kevin generously mentored and supported candidates and aspiring parliamentarians,” Mr Stephens said. “He was a huge fan of those who worked hard. “Community service came naturally to him.” Mr Leahy joined the Gascoyne Development Commission in 2001 where he became chair until 2008. He served on the boards and committees of various local community groups, including Carnarvon’s Sweeter Banana Co-operative and the Carnarvon Racing Club. “Kevin was made a life member of the Carnarvon Race Club,” Mr Stephens said. “None of us were surprised to hear that at the recent Carnarvon Race Day the track fell silent out of respect for Kevin when the sad news of his demise came through.”