Vale Bill Leak

I can’t think of any other passing that could have unsettled me like Bill’s. Perhaps his last words to me by email yesterday morning could be some sort of epitaph. I sent him a copy of the photo (below right) of him with Goong and Sir Les Patterson and said “isn’t this just brilliant?” and he said “Isn’t it ever! Reminds me of the image of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima!” Given the fights he fought and that he felt he had to fight for freedom of speech and freedom more generally, there’s not a lot more I can say except that he was on the verge of victory as that flag was being raised. We all need to make that fight final in memory of him. All his friends and allies in this should make sure that this win, when it comes — and it will — is truly a tribute to a great artist, a great cartoonist and a great and gentle Australian.

Bill was made a CIS McGregor Fellow in 2016, in acknowledgement of his longstanding, and outstanding, efforts in the vanguard of free speech. He will be missed by all of us.

Greg Lindsay
Executive Director
Centre for Independent Studies

Bill was a giant in his field of cartooning and portraiture. He was a towering figure for more than two decades as The Australian’s editorial cartoonist. Our friend Bill is simply irreplaceable.

 Bill’s last public event to launch his new book was a great triumph on Wednesday night. He spoke with his trademark wit and wisdom to a room filled with friends, colleagues and fans, all of whom wished him well and expressed great appreciation of his strength and his unwavering commitment to free speech and true Australian values.  

Paul Whittaker
Editor-in-Chief, The Australian