Statements on the passing of Stella Young: journalist, comedian, advocate and former Deakin University student

From Professor Jane den Hollander, Deakin University Vice-Chancellor:

We are devastated to hear of Stella's death.

Australia has lost one of its most passionate disability advocates and Deakin has lost a much-loved former student.

Deakin was very fortunate to have had Stella as a part of our community. We will all remember her warmth, wit and wonderful sense of humour as much as her fearless advocacy for people living with a disability.

On behalf of Deakin University, we offer our deepest condolences to Stella's family, friends and colleagues. 

From Susan Balandin, Inaugural Chair in Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University:

It is a great shock as she was so full of life and enthusiastic in all that she did.

Her death is a great loss to the disability community as a whole.

It is also a loss to Deakin as she was an inspirational alumnus who continued to offer support and to remind us not only that people with disability have a right to tertiary education, but also that universities have a responsibility to ensure that they are barrier-free institutions in the broadest sense.

Stella Young recently spoke at a Deakin forum called Conversations That Matter. See the clip here: http://air.deakin.edu.au/public/media/Conversations+That+Matter%3A+Improving+Employment+Opportunities+For+People+With+Disabilities/0_vsktdua3