LOCAL LIFE
Jungle Training at Canungra and mine-detection instruction at Casula. Despite wanting to serve in Vietnam, his education period ended with only six months left in his two-year army stint.
“ Tours over there were for 12 months and because I only had six months remaining before being discharged, I was kept here in Australia.”
Back on Civvie Street, Les worked for Riverstone legend Bill McNamara building Blacktown’ s Westpoint shopping centre.
“ I was with Bill for five years, then started a concreting business with Graham Noble and Gerry Fowler. In’ 83 I launched my own business— Rite Price Concrete,” Les said.
Rite Price Concrete was retired to the paddock in November 2025. During its final decade, he also operated a shederection business.
Away from the tools, Les stayed busy. He has been a member of the Hawkesbury Sports Council since 1987 and served as a Hawkesbury City councillor from 1987 to 2004, including several stints as deputy mayor. Returning to council in 2020, he has worked extensively on the Community Committee, Sports Council, Pioneer Village
Les out on the farm on one of his pig shooting trips. Photo: Supplied.
and the“ Dam It” campaign to raise the Warragamba Dam wall.
Les’ commitment to the Hawkesbury is unwavering.
“ That future can be shaped by what I call the‘ Three C’ s’— consultation, commitment and collaboration,” he said.“ If you’ ve got time and energy, you can achieve anything. We encourage our residents to aim for the same.”
Les also kicked a personal goal in 1970- marrying his sweetheart Michelle Holey just three days before starting National Service.
“ We went to Richmond High together, but the romance really began in’ 65 through social water-skiing outings,” he said.
Half a century on, they’ re proud parents of Adam and Shawn, and grandparents to three boys and two girls.
Yes indeed— Les Sheather is a happy man.
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 188 // JANUARY 2026 9