From the first bridge over Apsley Falls to every walking track and campground in national parks in the Armidale Area, Les Heffernan had a role in most of them, so the accolades were coming thick when he retired this week.
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Armidale NPWS Area Manager Aaron Simmon said after 42 years of service, Les would be sorely missed.
“People like Les are extremely hard to come across,” Mr Simmon said. “His attitude and commitment to his work is second to none. He didn’t stop working until he walked out the gate on his last day.
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“Most of the visitor infrastructure on the Northern Tablelands has Les’ fingerprints all over it.
“From campgrounds in Cathedral Rock National Park to Tia Falls in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, kilometres of walking tracks, all of those great lookouts you see hanging over cliffs, the first bridge over Apsley Falls - Les was there for them all.”
Les also worked on restoration projects which are popular with visitors, including restoring and maintaining the historic East Kunderang Homestead in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, and developing Muluerindie stone hut in Warrabah National Park.
Starting as a temporary “Parks Worker” in November 1976 based at New England, Les ended his career this week after a long stint as Senior Field Supervisor in Armidale.
His skills and knowledge in fire-fighting are also first class, starting out as a junior bush firefighter when he was eight years old in Sydney.
He worked as a remote firefighter, machine operator and a local knowledge expert in fire behaviour, strategies, and tactics, and was also one of the first chainsaw instructors in NPWS.
“We wish Les all the very best in his retirement,” Mr Simmon said.
