leonie bird

MAC.ROB Student, 1959-1962
PORTRAIT GALLERY INDUCTEE, 2024
BA; LLB; Master of Arts (Theology)
Barrister and Theologian

Leonie is an Australian-born Chinese, born in 1945.

Leonie was educated at Seville Primary School, Toorak Central, and then the Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School between 1959 and 1962.

At Mac.Rob, Leonie participated in House plays, the school choir, House, and school debating teams. The school inspired a life-long interest in public speaking, debating, art history, orchestral performance, and the not-for-profit sector. 

Leonie completed a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University between 1966 and 1985, and then lived in Portland, Western Victoria, teaching at Portland High School and Portland Technical School. She participated in community activities including journalism, community radio broadcasting, directing plays, and conducting Chinese cooking classes. Leonie also trained secondary school students in competitive public speaking and debating. 

Leonie completed a law degree (Monash) in 1985. In 1986, after admission to the legal profession, she was appointed as a County Court Judge’s Associate. In 2000, she was admitted to the Victorian Bar and remains a practising Barrister. She was on the board of a domestic violence shelter, and is an ambassador for Anglicare Victoria. 

In 2009, Leonie commenced theological studies (University of Divinity), graduating with a Master of Arts (Theology) in 2016, and has also completed a PhD thesis in law/theology research. 

Leonie has been a member of Palladians for more than 30 years. From 2014, she advised on the constitutional reform of the Palladian Rules, acting for a short time as Palladians Secretary. In 2014 she assisted in establishing the Legal Circle to connect alumni female lawyers to students and female law undergraduates. The Legal Circle was the model for other alumni professional circles. 

Leonie’s time at Mac.Rob inspired in her an expectation of excellence. She owes much of the beauty, honour, and truth in her life to Mac.Rob, and the school’s voice still echoes strongly in her heart and mind.