Les Parsons had not been living in Inverell very long, when he attended the AGM of Inverell Pioneer Village in 1976.
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It was the beginning of more than 40 years of service to the local community that has seen Mr Parsons included in this year's Australia Day Honours List.
The former councillor, tourism advocate, businessman, volunteer and chair of many committees has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to the community of Inverell, and to local government.
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Two years after moving to Inverell to open the electrical apparatus repair company, Arlington Pty Ltd, Mr Parsons was elected chair of Inverell Pioneer Village, a position he would hold for 18 years.
He would be elected to Inverell Shire Council twice, from 1979 to 1983 in the newly amalgamated council, and again from 1987 to 1991.
"Les put a lot of time into council in its early days, when things were very tough financially, but there was a lot of vision there," Inverell mayor Paul Harmon said when he learnt of the Australia Day honour for Mr Parsons.
"He's certainly one of those forefathers that had that longterm vision that provided some great infratstructure for the council that we enjoy today."
Tourism was an area where Mr Parsons gave a lot to the local community, and Mr Harmon said his involvment with a number of tourism boards, along with another local Les Moulds, helped lift the profile of the town.
"They were known as big Les and little Les and they made sure that everybody knew where Inverell was, what we had to offer, and they were great advocates for our region here."
Mr Parsons was Inverell Shire Council's representative to New England Tourism Development Authority, from 1984 until it ended in 1989, then he was chair of Tourism New England from 1990 to 1995. During those years in the 90s he was also secretary of the NSW Council of Tourist Associations.
Since 2007 he has been a board member New England/North West Tourism Association Inc. He was elected chair in 2008.
Mr Parsons chaired the Inverell Shire Bicentennial committee from 1985 to 1988, and was chair of the Inverell Shire Australia Day Committee for more than a decade from 1985 to 1996.
For 15 years, from 1980 to 1995, he chaired the Inverell Shire Tourism Committee.
At the Pioneer Village where it all started, Mr Parsons was instrumental in relocating Oakwood Hall, Rob Roy Hall, Inverell Hospital Isolation Ward, Gooda Cottage and the Inverell Foundry Office building to the local tourist attraction.
He designed and supervised the caretaker cottage and garage, ran underground power to various buildings, at no cost, other than materials at cost price.
With Macintyre Lions Club, the local service club he was a member of for many years, he relocated Keera Blacksmith facility, and Coolatai Store to Pioneer Village.
In the family business, Mr Parsons was a senior partner, in Olives of Beaulieu producing olive oil, olive products and spices, with cellar door sales.
He has also been a strong supporter of the Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry, particularly through his involvement with the Chamber Promotions Committee.
In 1994, he was awarded Inverell Shire's Australia Day Citizen of the Year award.
Other New England Honours List recipients
Former senator Sandy MacDonald from Wallabadah received the Member Of The Order Of Australia (AM) for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, and to public administration.
Other New England recipients of the Medal Of The Order Of Australia (OAM) include Edwina Sharrock from Tamworth for service to community health and Uralla's John O'Halloran for services to rugby leage.
Armidale resident Chris Hancock has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education and on-line research networks, and to Australia-USA relations.
A Public Service Medal went to Charles McLachlan from Glen Innes for his outstanding public service to local government in New South Wales, particularly during the emergency response to the 2019 bushfires.