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Laidley and partner Donna Leckie made a bold statement as they stepped out together during an official North Melbourne press conference event last month.The Herald Sunhas since revealed the pair first met in Grade 1 at a Western Australian primary school.The former AFL coach and North Melbourne premiership-winner is moving on with her life after last year being found with drugs in her bra and charged with stalking.She also had photos leaked while she was in police custody.Leckie, the woman who has been alongside Laidley as she moves on, re-connected with Laidley a few years ago and has been there for the 54-year-old during his recent troubled times.The pair have revealed they were partnered up in primary school and high school — and their romance has been rekindled this year.The Daily Mailreports, Leckie appeared by Laidley’s side in a recent court hearing.The report details Leckie is a highly regarded aged care specialist, with more than two decades of experience. She is a proud mother and grandmother who juggles her vocation as chief operations officer at Compatible Care.Her presence is one of many reasons Laidley has taken so many strides forwards in her private life.“It’s been tough at times. But I feel I am a much more rounded person,” Laidley said last week.“I feel that I can let myself love and be loved now, instead of self-sabotaging in lots of different ways from an early age, right up until 18 months ago.”Laidley was embraced on her recent return to North Melbourne Football Club, and gained plaudits for a heartfelt speech at a transgender forum in regional Victoria.“Not only the messages of support but the messages from parents of transgender children and the impact that last Friday had has absolutely blown me away,” she said.“I want to raise awareness of transgender people to live life without barriers. It’s very important to me, and not just the transgender person themselves, but also their families for the support and counsel required to adapt to change.”