80 years on and Les still inspires

By Nicole Williams
IT WAS fitting for long-time Dandenong RSL volunteer Les Hughes to celebrate his 80th birthday in the RSL’s private rooms last week.
Mr Hughes has been a member of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL for a total of 32 years after moving to Dandenong in 1956 and was recognised by the RSL with the Volunteer of the Year Award 2011 on 18 September for his hours of work selling badges and poppies in the lead up Anzac Day and Remembrance Day each year.
Family and friends travelled from around Australia and the state to celebrate the milestone birthday with the Korean War veteran and his family.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL vice president John Laughton presented Mr Hughes with an Over-Bloody-Eighty (OBE) Award at the celebrations.
“I have had the pleasure of only knowing Les since 2005 and he is without a doubt one of the true gentlemen that I have had the pleasure of calling my friend,” Mr Laughton said.
“He is always the first to volunteer for the RSL Anzac Day and Remembrance Day appeals, where he spends endless hours selling to the public… he simply goes about his tasks.”
Mr Hughes’ daughter Cheryl Emmett said her father was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.
“Dad is a very devoted and loving husband to his wife Flo and four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,” she said.
“He is a very caring and giving person; a true gentleman and an inspiration to us all.”