Marion Leake was almost as synonymous with the ACS as John Leake OAM ACS.
Although it was John who was the ACS stalwart it was Marion, behind the scenes, who supported him and ensured that John’s roles were always done impeccably.
She always made sure the NSW branch newsletter, Focus, came out on time – and without any spelling mistakes. She was one of the four venerable ladies of the ACS who, along with Mary Wood, Nita Gardiner and Norma Feeney, opened the Society’s National Headquarters in Sydney on March 3rd, 2011.
Aside from the ACS she ran the business side of Motion Picture Associates in Cammeray while John looked after the camera side. Motion Picture Associates’ office in Cammeray was for many years the official address of the Australian Cinematographers Society.
Marion did an enormous amount of work behind the scenes for the Society for many, many years, but always wished to remain out of the spotlight. That was John’s role as far as she was concerned.
Marion passed away in Sydney on July 3, 2022 at the age of 91 and was privately cremated on July 13th in accordance with her wishes.
She’ll be sadly missed by her daughters Melissa, Micaele, Meredith, and Marion, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, along with all ACS members who knew and loved her.
Ted Rayment ACS, David Wakeley ACS, Ron Johanson OAM ACS.