Arthur Leggett OAM Library
Last Friday, Mount Lawley Senior High School conducted a naming ceremony for the School Library. It is now known as the "Arthur Leggett OAM Library" in honour of our 100 year old (in about 2 weeks) Lawley Legend, Arthur Leggett, OAM. Arthur was on hand to accept the accolade alongside his family, friends and members of the broader school and military communities.
A fitting honour for a wonderful man. Congratulations on your library, Arthur.
An article covering this event has been published in 'The West' newspaper - Monday 27 August.
Arthur Leggett OAM Library video
Arthur Leggett interview 6PR Breakfast Show
NEWS : The Arthur Leggett OAM Library
An illustrious and inspiring life is an apt way to describe the experiences of one of Mount Lawley Senior High School's most honoured broader community members.
A man whose stories and knowledge were shared from the heart.
In his 100TH year, and still contributing to the community as President of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association of WA, Arthur Leggett's remarkable status in the school was celebrated at a recent ceremony at which the school library was named after him.
The ceremony fittingly took place in the library and was attended by many of Mr Leggett's proud family, as well as fellow members of the military, local dignitaries, staff and students.
Principal Lesley Street spoke of how Mr Arthur Leggett, OAM, was an inspiration to all, and of his ability to value every person and every experience.
The previous Principal, Milton Butcher, described him as a "living treasure and a Lawley Legend."
After unveiling the plaque, Mr Leggett responded and spoke of the privilege he always felt talking at the school, in his quest to acknowledge the many brave men who had died defending the country. He expressed the hope that the principles for which he stood would endure and stated that his aim had always been to leave the world a little better than it was before.
Mr Leggett served in North Africa, Greece and Crete during WWII. He was captured in 1941 and sent to Germany where he worked, in effect, as slave labour in the coal mines. He was liberated by American troops near the end of the war. In 1996, he took on the position of President of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association of WA.
It was at this time that his connection to the school commenced. In the same year, the school adopted the Ex-Prisoners of War Association Memorial in Kings Park. Since then Mr Leggett
has become a regular attendee at school assemblies and the annual memorial services. Acknowledgement through a connection to a building such as a library is fitting for a man who has written an autobiography and is recognised as a bush poet.
Dignified but always demonstrating a sense of humour is one characteristic that sums up the well-rounded nature of Arthur Leggett. He was awarded an OAM in 2004. The school is delighted to confer its own honour upon him in 2018.
