Condolences for popular drag queen Rose Leaf
Image: Rose Leaf pictured with friends
Rose Leaf passed away on Saturday January, 11 2014 following a long battle with Lupus.
Rose (aka Ross Higham) was one of the legends of the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne drag scenes during the 70s through to the 90s and has been dubbed as of the creative minds that gave birth to the modern drag production show.
Always among the first to volunteer his time for any community event, he was inducted into the Diva Hall of Fame in 1998 and hosted the BGF stands for the Mardi Gras parades in the late 90s.
The performer was a member of the Transformers, Pleasure Pact, Totally Fruit, the Transisters (to name just a few) and was one of the original cast members of the Pricilla Show at the Imperial Hotel.
She performed at one time or another in almost every gay venue and gay event in Sydney’s Oxford St and Newtown precincts and was the subject of a television show by Mike Willesee. She also met Patrick Swayze and Madonna when they were in Australia.
In more recent years, Rose participated in the launch of Sydney’s gay community radio station (along with the late David Hiscock) before his health failed and he was forced into retirement. He was since been cared for by his mother, Jan Reid who was with him right up to his final moments.
