Service Awards

Les started in 1963 as an apprentice fitter and turner at the Long Reach Power Station. In 1968 he entered the coal industry as a fitter operator at the Moura Coal Preparation Plant and remained there for 14 years. In this period he became Leading Hand then Shift Foreman. In 1982 Les joined Ulan Washery as a Shift Supervisor and became Manager in 1991. At the end of 1994 he joined the Ulan Coal Mines Safety Department as a Superintendent.

Les retired in 2001 but was coaxed out of retirement and joined Charbon Colliery as Safety Officer for another 2 years.

Les attended his first Coal Preparation Course in Queensland in 1978 then the NSW Course in 1982. He became a member of the NSW Branch of the Society in 1982 and in 1990 was elected to the Committee and became the Western Region Representative.

In 1995 Les was the Conference Chairman of the National Coal Preparation Conference in Mudgee. In his ‘spare time’ Les was and is a dedicated member of the Lions Club. He also converted his love of older cars into doing up a 1970’s model Holden and participating in several round Australia rallies for The Kidney Foundation.

We wish him and his wife Lee a long and happy retirement.