Unfortunately Les passed away just after 6:00am on Saturday 4 January 2020 losing his fight against cancer.
His daughter, Cathy, has advised that there will be a gathering of Les’ friends at the “Bondi Icebergs” club in Nots Avenue, Bondi, on Thursday 16th January at 11:15am.
Details to be published in the Daily Telegraph on Friday 10th January 2020.
May He Rest In Peace
Cathy Ayers, Les’ daughter, advised his long-term friend and colleague from his OTC years, John Smith, in mid-December 2019 that due to his worsening medical condition Les had been placed in Edina Age Care Hospital, Waverley. Les had been undergoing extensive chemo and radiation treatment for several months but unfortunately he had not responded positively to the treatment and was not expected to recover.
Les has been an active member of the OTC Vets for many years and has in recent years provided many stories for inclusion in the OTVA Newsletter which had added to the reading enjoyment of many of its members.
2 Comments
Unfortunately I have no photos that I can readily find of Les but good memories from our days as Operators, initially at the SOR, then 12 Spring Street, Sydney (circa 1959) followed by a transfer to Intlx on (as I recall) L5 at the Paddington International Gateway Exchange, 363 Oxford St, Paddington..
In those days Les & his good mate, Bob Scherff – also an Intlx Operator, shared a flat overlooking the beach just south of Bondi, at Tamarama (otherwise known in those days as ‘The Jungle’) where there were many a wild party or two or three or more that both myself & other Intlx Operators (e.g. Dave Cowie et others) attended, well accompanied with a generous assortment of young ladies from a wide spectrum of Sydney’s multicultural society of the era. Halcyon days indeed that I remember well.
Barring unexpected developments, I’ll make best endeavors to be there at the Bondi Icebergs Club, Thursday 16th Jan 2020 for that Tribute to Les Ayers.
Cheers ‘n’ beers
Jim Simpson
Dear Cathy and family
I am indeed sorry to hear that Les has passed away. He was always such great company in the S.O.R. days, especially during the midnighters.
We would like to thank him so very much for all his contribution to the OTVA with his overseas stories.
May he rest in peace
Robert van Gestel
Business and General Training Manager