Her words of wisdom have helped shape the lives of young ones for more than two decades. Now the legacy of beloved parenting author and educator Maggie Dent is set to live on well beyond her lifetime.
Patron Fiona Stanley catches up with friend and Fiona Stanley Circle member Maggie Dent
Maggie is a member of the Fiona Stanley Circle, a special group of people who have generously decided to include The Kids Research Institute Australia among the individuals and causes provided for in their wills.
For her, the bequest is simply an extension of the beliefs and values she’s held dear all her life.
Maggie’s father ensured she was instilled with a strong social conscience from a young age and that has remained a strong tenet: to do her best to improve the lives of others, particularly the vulnerable.
And, she said, it was her long held-hero Professor Fiona Stanley who was responsible for putting the fire in her belly to empower parents with the knowledge about what was important when it came to raising their children.
Part profits from her self-published first book Saving Our Children From Our Chaotic World, printed in 2003, went to the Institute and this was the start of a longstanding philanthropic relationship.
“I just have an enormous passion for children who are more vulnerable and who are struggling. The more that I understand about what comes out of this amazing Institute, the more I feel this is exactly where my money needs to go when I am no longer here,” Maggie explained.
As part of the Fiona Stanley Circle, Maggie receives regular emails and updates about the vital scientific discoveries being made and has been able to go in and meet with the researchers and see first-hand the good work being done. “I love getting the updates, it makes me feel validated that deciding to include the Institute in my will is a really positive and sensible choice to make,” Maggie said.
Maggie said her family were comfortable with the decision and she urged others to consider a similar move, regardless of whether it was big or small.
Maggie with her sons
“We need to stand up and celebrate such an amazing place,” she said. “There are an awful lot of us that are my age and beyond so rather than just ‘grey nomading’ all of your money away, save a little bit for a wonderful Institute that might help your grandkids one day.”
Professor Stanley said bequests provided much-needed monies to support crucial areas not funded by research grants. These included laboratory costs, research support, shortfalls from grants and funding to attract the brightest and best researchers from anywhere in the world.
They were also a sign of how well the Institute engaged with the community. “If they understand and value what we do, they are more likely to leave something for us in their will,” she said. “And their very special legacy gifts will inspire us to achieve even more for the most precious among us, our children.”
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