Book launch and a birthday
The Neerim Junction Hall was filled to capacity last month for the launch of a new book, Bush Business by Neville Cliff, about the life and times of Les Christian.
Les turned 95 the day before the event and enjoyed the unusual birthday party.
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood launched the book, saying that Les was a lifelong friend of himself and his father Norm.
He said he had admired Les from a very young age and still admires him today for his intellect, generosity and compassion, as well as his strong connection to the bush.
Neville Cliff wrote the book over a period of three years, as Les shared his memories of a very full life. Neville said his stories were entertaining and an important record of local history.
Early life on a small farm at Nayook near Warragul wasn’t easy, especially as his father had been wounded in World War I, but Les enjoyed working with horses and could shoe a horse by the time he was 15.
His career in the timber industry took him all over Victoria and Tasmania. At one time he drove several ex-army tanks from NSW into Gippsland, which were in demand because of the shortage of tractors.
Bush business for Les included firefighting and many searches for missing people.
Les began deer hunting because deer were raiding local farm crops, and also for meat and the Christian family are still keen hunters. Later, Les bred deer for a time, but the industry never really took off.
Overseas and outback travel were an important part of life for Les and the book has accounts of some of his trips. Family history research Family history research has revealed a connection to Fletcher Christian, who initiated the Mutiny on the Bounty. By a remarkable coincidence, while Les was travelling he met one of the mutineer’s descendants and later visited him on Norfolk Island.
The book was published and edited by Les’ daughter Maren Stafford. To obtain copies contact Maren Stafford maren.stafford@yahoo.com or Neville Cliff: nandacliff@speedweb.com.au