LONG David Leisa
1976-Current
Written by David Long
I moved into the Nyabing district in 1976 along with parents John and Gay, and siblings Dianne, Darren and Ian. John had commenced as Farm Manager of “Grasslands” farm for W.T Hurst on Titicup Road. John and Gay managed the farm for 34 years, before retiring to Albany. Two more children arrived while on the farm, twins Jackie and Jamie were born in 1977.
I spent my early school years at Nyabing Primary School, travelling by bus for these years with close neighbours the Poyner boys. My high school years were completed at Katanning Senior High where I also travelled by bus for these five years.
In November 1984, a lovely kiwi lass, Leisa Sadlier, moved to Nyabing from Invercargill, New Zealand, along with parents Victor and Isabelle, and sisters Georgina and Carina. Victor had made the move from New Zealand to commence work at the Nyabing Pastoral Company.
I met Leisa very soon after this while I was driving a grader on the gravel streets of Nyabing getting them prepared for bituminising. I saw her many times on Aspendale Street; the boss couldn’t work out why this street required far more extra grading work than all the others in town!!
The Sadlier family relocated to Perth in 1985. I travelled to Perth every weekend for many months and decided to leave the Shire in February 1986 to be closer to Leisa, and we eventually get married in June 1986. In July 1986 I learnt that a maintenance grader job was available at the Shire of Kent, so Leisa and I made the move back to the town and lifestyle we loved, that very month.
I ended up doing most of the jobs that could be done on the Shire before advancing to Leading Hand/Construction grader operator in 1992. In December 1994 I was appointed as Works Manager. Over the years Leisa has also been employed at different times in a variety of Jobs on the Shire as well.
Our family expanded over the next few years, Shandii was born in November 1986, Cory in July 1988 and Mathew in December 1990.
Leisa and I still reside in Nyabing in 2012. I am still Works Manager; Leisa commutes to Katanning every day to work at Burando Hill. All three children are also employed in Katanning.
Leisa, Cory, Shandii, Mathew, and David Long.
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