Anyone who was involved with Ryder Cheshire round the turn of the century, will remember Dennis Sleigh. Dennis was a loyal supporter of the ACT Foundation from the late 1980s including as President, until it closed not long after Dennis was posted to the position of Principal of the Catholic School in Temora NSW. Dennis and his wife, Margaret, who was National Treasurer for 16 years, then turned their allegiance to the NSW branch where they continue as supporters to this day.
Dennis was born in Wales on 21 January 1945. His family migrated to Australia in 1952 and he grew up in Dapto, near Wollongong. He was educated at Chevalier College in Bowral and entered the seminary in 1962 to train as a Catholic priest. He studied there for 3 years and was then sent to Rome to begin the four year course in Theology. However, after only a year, Dennis would say, “They finally convinced me that the life of a celibate priest is not an easy one” so he pulled out and returned to Australia.
He began teaching in 1966 as an assistant teacher in St. Patricks, Christian Brothers College in Albury NSW and meanwhile, studied by correspondence, to become a fully qualified teacher .
He met his wife, Margaret, through the Young Christian Workers movement in September 1966 and they were married in January 1968.
In 1980, Dennis, Margaret and family of three children, moved to Canberra where, toward the end of the decade, they were introduced to the work of the Ryder Cheshire Foundations. At about that time, Dennis met and was truly inspired by the late Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO and 2 Bars, DFC.
Dennis and Margaret became firm supporters of Ryder Cheshire with both taking executive positions as required and being involved in all the activities of the small foundation. Their support lasts to this day, even after they were transferred to Temora NSW and the ACT Foundation closed.
Dennis is described by the University of Canberra as one of Australia’s most Distinguished Educators. He was a prolific writer and teachers all over Australia have read and benefitted from his wisdom.
He died at the age of 80 in Wagga Wagga Base Hospital following surgery. The surgery was successful, but he was frail having suffered from vertigo almost constantly for the preceding 6 years. He died a week later on 23 July 2025.
No doubt he is enjoying one those deep and meaningful discussions that he so enjoyed with Leonard years ago.
Patricia McDonell with content provided by Margaret Sleigh.