Les grew up in Wynnum, a bay suburb of Brisbane, where he was a prominent footballer, playing 2nd row for Wynnum Manly and also played in Sydney, North England and Saudi Arabia. He was also an active member of the Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club growing up and has always had a passion for sport. After studying accounting at QUT in Brisbane he traveled the world working in Saudi Arabia in the late 70’s. On his return he settled back in Brisbane where he met his future wife Anne-Marie. In 1982 they married and had 3 children (Bianca, Michelle & Michael) over the following years. During this time they lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for several years and Les held jobs with Stramit and the State Gas Pipelines in Brisbane. In 1997 he moved the family to Gladstone taking on the role of manager for the Department of Small Business & Tourism (State Development). This is where his passion for supporting local businesses and bringing them together for the greater good. Throughout his time at Prime Rentals he was heavily involved in setting up the GEA and also the technical college at State High. Les has always valued community and has been an active member of the Midday Rotary since arriving in Gladstone, you will often see him at the markets serving sausages. Les is not someone of many words, but people who know him well know he is extremely proud of his involvement of the GEA and watching it flourish with the talented people who continue to be involved in driving the association forward.