Bio of Elizabeth Leigh Wilson OAM

Biography of Elizabeth Leigh Wilson OAM 
Elizabeth Leigh Wilson OAM is a Toastmaster and retired teacher. 

Early life and childhood in New Zealand

Elizabeth was born Elizabeth Leigh Fountain on 4th November 1939 in Auckland, New Zealand, to Ernest Maurice Fountain (born 1911) and Emily Madge Grenside (born 1915).

She was baptised on the 11th February 1940 in Auckland. She was raised with three siblings - brother Warren Ranshaw Fountain (born 15th August, 1942), sister Susan Margaret Fountain (born 24th November 1947), and sister Janet Allison Fountain (born 3rd September 1949).

Elizabeth was known for many years by her middle name of "Leigh." She would later start going by her first name of "Elizabeth" in the early 1990s.

Elizabeth "Leigh" studied teaching at a teachers' college in New Zealand, in the late fifties and early sixties. She would later resume teaching primary students after setting up a family.

Elizabeth Leigh Fountain married Garry Austin Wilson OAM (son of Sir Austin George Wilson OBE and Lady Ailsa Blanche Percy) on 12th March 1960 in Auckland NZ.

Early days in Australia starting a family

The family moved to Australia when Gary received a job offer in a desert town.

First son Michael Gary Wilson was born on 10th January 1961, in the town named "Elizabeth" in South Australia.

The couple's second son, Dr Richard Mark Wilson, was born on 12th September 1963, in Elizabeth SA Australia.

Early days in Sydney with Toastmistresses 

Their third son, Jeremy David Wilson, was born on 11th August 1966 in Wentworthville New South Wales Australia.

(Elizabeth) Leigh Wilson joined Toastmistresses in 1968 at the age of 28. Women were not yet allowed in Toastmasters. Toastmistresses was an organisation for women to develop speaking and leadership skills.

Named as Leigh Wilson at the time, she resumed work as a teacher from 1969 (according to page 59 of the Media Notes - OAM (s-z) 2016). 

(Elizabeth) Leigh served Toastmistresses for at least a decade. She attended the Charter Meeting of the Holroyd Toastmistresses Club in the early 1970s.

Leadership opportunities occurred for the wives of Toastmasters members in the early days. Elizabeth Leigh took on the role of Chairman of the Ladies Committee, at the 1973 Katoomba Conference for District 70 Toastmasters, at 34. Her sons were aged 12, 10, and 7 at the time.

She was interviewed on television in 1976, at the age of 37, speaking about the benefits of the Toastmistresses organisation.






1980s Family and Toastmasters 

Elizabeth Leigh Wilson joined Toastmasters International in 1983 after 16 years in Toastmistresses.

She became the first female District Governor of District 70 Toastmasters (NSW & ACT) in 1987-1988 in her forties. This was only a few years after women were allowed to join as official members in the organisation.

Elizabeth Leigh Wilson won the District 70 Toastmasters Evaluation Contest at state level in 1989, the year after completing a term as District Governor.

Her first granddaughter, Melanie Suzanne Wilson, was born on 3rd July 1989. This was the first female born into the Wilson family for decades.

1990s Toastmasters, family, teaching and retirement

This enthusiastic speaker won the District 70 Toastmasters Evaluation Contest again in 1992.

Elizabeth Leigh Wilson was the Deputy Principal of Tara Anglican Junior School for Girls from 1991 to 1994. She then retired from teaching in 1994 at the age of 55.

2000s Community, family, enjoying retirement, and more Toastmasters


Elizabeth settled into going by her first name of "Elizabeth" in the early 2000s, instead of her middle name / nick name of "Leigh."

From 2002 to 2006, Elizabeth served as the Toastmasters District 70 Directory Officer.

She saw the wedding of her son Richard to Sicilian wife Pinuccia Gravina (born 1968) in Italy on 10th April 2004. The couple held a wedding in Vittoria, Sicily, Italy. They would soon start a family in Trento, Italy.

Elizabeth's second granddaughter, Stefania Wilson, was born to Richard and Pinuccia on 11th October 2005.

Then in 2006 to 2008, she was Chairman of the Toastmasters Leadership Institute. Her duties also included District Club Officer Training.

During that time, the third grandson was born - Daniele - first son to Richard and Pinuccia. He was born on 8th August 2007.

2007 was a busy year. Also in 2007, Elizabeth and Gary both became the Toastmasters District 70 Supplies Officers. They continued this role until giving notice in 2018.

2014 and onwards - Cancer, survival, and involvement

Cancer

Severe health problems started to appear for Elizabeth at the start of 2014. This contrasted to simultaneous joyous events. The family had celebrated the announcement of Gary's Medal of the Order of Australia on 26th January for Australia Day. Her husband was receiving an OAM. His investiture ceremony was fast approaching.

Elizabeth accompanied her husband to his investiture on 2nd May 2014. She felt incredibly proud. Yet her legs could barely support her. This loving wife was seen seated during the outdoor drinks, unable to stand.

A diagnosis of cancer was made on Tuesday 13th May 2014. She was requiring urgent surgery by Thursday 15th May 2014.

The next day would be the Toastmasters District 70 Annual Conference. Family would attend as she rested in intensive care after a miraculous surgery. Gary Wilson published an update about Elizabeth's health on 25th May 2014.

Stability

The journey from 2014 was one of stability. Elizabeth soon enough returned to her Toastmasters meetings, holidays in various countries, bridge games, and involvement with family.

Family continued quite a journey. Elizabeth's daughter-in-law Pinuccia gave birth to twins Mattia and Luca on 20th October 2014, barely half a year after Elizabeth's diagnosis.

Elizabeth's first son Michael then began a marriage to his second wife, Linda Wilson, on 28th March 2015.

Granddaughter Melanie then became engaged to Clay Halford in December 2015.

The family had rebuilt. The family saw remarriages, new relationships, births of young children, and the eventfulness of life.

Elizabeth continued to work on Toastmasters Supplies Australia and attend her regular club Parramatta Toastmasters.

She kept playing bridge, and only discontinued the staff role due to mobility and health.

She also still served the community at the Hunterford Estate Oatlands, as the Executive Committee Secretary.


Medal of the Order of Australia 


Elizabeth was announced as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day 2016. Her investiture was in May 2016, two years after the cancer diagnosis. She became Elizabeth Leigh Wilson OAM.

The Future


Elizabeth Leigh Wilson lives every moment of life to the full. She approaches 2016 with plans to travel, volunteer, and keep busy. She is invincible.


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