Leslie Colin West

Les often shared stories of his childhood on the farm—milking cows by hand when the power went out, feeding the pigs, carting hay, helping on the milk run, and delivering milk, bread and newspapers around Gracemere years before he was old enough to get his driver's licence. He also loved telling the story of how his grandfather would play tricks on the children by leaving a dead snake on the tractor seat.

To Les, there was nothing better than galloping across the paddock after a cow that had broken away. His love of horses, cattle and country life remained with him throughout his life.

Les attended Gracemere State School before completing Year 10 at Rockhampton State High School. After leaving school, he worked at Miller's small crop farm and later at a local egg farm in Gracemere.

Determined to learn a trade, Les approached Les Clandfield about a spray-painting apprenticeship. He worked for Les Clandfield for more than ten years until the business was affected by difficult economic times. Les worked at Les Doblo's delivering fruit & veg to shops around Rockhampton before working several other paint shops around Rockhampton. He then joined North Rockhampton Truck and Auto Refinishers, where he worked for over 30 years, He finished his working career at Beau Murphy's Panel and Paint, where he worked for seven years.

In 1980, Les met Ruby Butcher at a friend's house. They moved into a flat on the corner of Agnes and Archer Streets in 1981 and were married on 23 August 1981. During their seven years there, they welcomed their sons, William and Daniel.

In 1987, Les and Ruby built their family home in Gracemere, where they continued to raise their growing family. Before long, William and Daniel were joined by Shaun, Stacey and Leteisha, making their family complete.

Today, Les and Ruby are proud grandparents to eight much-loved grandchildren, who brought him enormous joy and happiness.

In 2015, Les came home one day and told Ruby to look into a holiday in Europe. That single conversation sparked a passion for travel that would see them enjoy four unforgettable overseas holidays over the following seven years. Of all the places they visited, London captured Les's heart. He was incredibly proud to have visited London four times and often said that, if he could, he would happily live in England.

Les was one of the hardest-working people you could ever meet. Whether he was working full-time, mustering cattle, fencing, carting hay, tending to his garden, or helping family and friends, he was always willing to lend a hand and get the job done. He never expected recognition—he simply worked because that was who he was.

He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his unwavering work ethic.

Les is deeply loved, greatly missed, and will be forever remembered by his family and friends.