LESLIE Bodinnar was nicknamed Rusty, but if you looked at his career and community involvement, you’d think otherwise.
He was a Balranald Shire councillor, Justice of the Peace, Masonic Lodge member, citizen of the year, author and producer.
Leslie died peacefully at Balranald Hospital on April 2, aged 90.
Son Matt told mourners in a eulogy that in his early years, Leslie and his brother, Barry, were inseparable.
“Regular camping trips out to Baupie Farm where he enjoyed fishing and swimming, but most of all, shooting,” Matt said.
“When we asked about this, his answer was that seeing a kid with a rifle was fine, every kid had one.”
Born in Box Hill on January 22, 1934, he was the third child to Les and Rene.
Leslie began his education in Balranald. Then at the age of 10, he joined his brother at Melbourne Church of England Boys Grammar School.
“He did well as a student but he excelled as a sportsman, always in the first side for cricket, football, athletics and boxing, until he graduated.
“His office at his home at We Street, Balranald, has all his sporting team photos hanging on display.”
After school, he started a cabinet maker apprenticeship in Melbourne and was invited to play AFL football for the under-19 Melbourne Football Club.
He played two seasons and in the second season, had the late Ron Barassi as a teammate. That year, they won the under-19 grand final and Leslie was awarded the most valuable player.
Before returning home, Leslie completed his National Service at Puckapunyal in 1954.
“At this parade, the commanding officer was addressing the men. He came to Rusty and said, ‘What’s for dinner, Bodinnar?’ Matt said.
“Rusty’s quick reply was, ‘Cat’s meat’. “The angry officer yelled, ‘Latrine duties for a week’.”
Matt said Leslie’s father was contemplating retirement and enquired whether he would come home and manage L.V. Bodinnar Pty Ltd, as Barry shifted to managing Swan Hill Trading Company as their business was expanding.
Leslie answered the call to work together with his family. At this time, his eye was caught by the young police sergeant’s daughter, Beverley Sullivan. They married on March 28, 1959, at the Anglican Church in Balranald.
“Now a funny thing happened on the way to the honeymoon,” Matt said. “Rusty forgot to book the honeymoon suite in Hay. As Rusty tells it, he was exhausted and couldn’t drive any further, so back down the Hay-Balranald Road they went to a secluded spot and slept in the car.
“Whenever this was mentioned, Bev would get flustered and Rusty would give us a cheeky grin and wink.”
Matthew was born nine months later.
Children Margot, Sonia and William arrived in quick succession.
On returning to Balranald, Leslie played cricket, football, bowls and golf. He also enjoyed yachting at Yanga Lake with Doug Hocking, his brother-in-law.
He was a champion sportsman – Balranald Football Club best and fairest in 1955 and 1959, and 10 years on the committee. He was the golf club champion in 1965, captain in 1973 and a valued committee member for 25 years. Bowls single champion in 1990, during this time he was also the golf and bowls club secretary (1981-1991).
In 1987, Leslie was inducted as a life member of Balranald Golf and Bowling Club.
He was a Balranald Shire councillor for 13 years, Justice of the Peace for 55 years, member of the Balranald Masonic Lodge for 60 years, and the treasurer for 30 years.
He had the proud honour of receiving the Balranald citizen of the year in 2000 and was sponsor of the Les Bodinnar Memorial Golf Day over the past 41 years.
Leslie was the author of Balranald and the Outback and Balranald Heritage Pictorial and producer of the Balranald historic calendar for 36 years.
On January 20 this year, the family celebrated Leslie’s 90th birthday.
“He was right on song,” Matt said. “The joy from seeing all his family together was very pleasing to him.
“But in true fashion and running to a timetable, always checking his watch, ‘3pm, time to go back to aged care at the Balranald Hospital’, where he resided over the past two years.”
Matt said his father’s greatest gift was being the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“He was extremely kind and generous with all his family,” he said.
“Rusty was a true gentleman and mentor to many.
“His cheeky demeanour and quirky sense of humour kept us all on our toes. He is forever 99.9 per cent.”
Leslie is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was farewelled at Balranald Football Netball Club on April 22.
