FatherCecil Roy Williams b. 1 Apr 1897, d. 2 Jul 1956
MotherAnnie Veronica O'Connell b. 20 May 1906, d. 30 Aug 1994
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

Leon Roy 'Whiskey' Williams was born on 30 August 1939. 
He married Mary Veronica Budd on 11 April 1964 in Mooroopna, Victoria.1 
He died on 10 April 2017 in Richmond, Victoria, at age 77.2 

Family

Mary Veronica Budd
Children
ChartsLarsen, Laust, descendant chart
Milovitch, Thomas, descendant chart
O'Connell, Michael, descendant chart
Williams, John, descendant chart

Story

Leon was born in Una Hospital in Shepparton when his family lived in Echuca Road, Mooroopna.3
Leon Williams
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
Leon Williams & Jimmy, 22 Feb 1942
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
Leon 'Whiskey' Williams
Leon was known as 'Whiskey' or 'Whisky' for most of his life.4,5
 
While there are variants of how he got the nickname, they all involve his dog.

Son Grant said this during his eulogy:
Lots of people have asked how Dad got the nickname “Whisky”. Through his teenage years, Dad had a small black and white dog called “Whisky” that used to go everywhere with him. The dog even sat on the front fence of his house and watched him train with the fire brigade running team for hours on end. When the dog died, the fire brigade blokes started calling Dad, Whisky. It has been his and the family nickname ever since.6

Leon Williams & 'Whiskey' the dog, c. 1949
Image: Val Williams
Childhood 
By January 1930 when Val was born, the family was at the home in Echuca Rd (later 37 Echuca Rd) where Lorraine, Val and Leon grew up. Leon was a late arrival with sisters Lorraine aged twelve and Val nine.7,8,9
Lorraine, Val & Annie Williams, c. 1931
Image: Val Williams
Lorraine, Leon & Val Williams, c. 1941
Image: Val Williams
The family home was across a paddock from where Roy's parents and brother Frank lived in an old homestead house (later 27 Echuca Rd) closer to the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.9,8
Annie Williams (O'Connell) with Lorraine and probably Val, Echuca Rd, Mooroopna, c. 1932
Image: Val Williams
Home of Roy & Annie Williams (O'Connell), Echuca Rd, Mooroopna, 1930s
Image: Val Williams
Echuca Rd, Mooroopna, c. 1950s
Image: Kaz Corbo
In the house, a copper used for the laundry was also heated once a week for baths. Later, they had a wood chip heater in the bathroom. In winter the family lived mostly in a big kitchen where the wood fire kept them warm. On hot summer nights, they slept on the lawn with cow pats burning to keep mosquitoes away.

With no TV, they listened to the wireless, played cards or joined in a singalong to music from their pianola.

Roy made toys and other things, like a wooden replica of the Queen Mary and the pedal car in the photo.10,11
Val & Lorraine Williams with Elma Eggerstat in the car Roy re-built from one originally from Bob Jamieson, c. 1931
Image: Val Williams
Leon helped at his father's butcher shop in Main St. He tells of heading to the slaughter yards in the morning with his uncle Frank, gutting the sheep for the sausage skins then returning to the butcher shop via horse and dray with the meat under a tarpaulin. He would then go off to school. He worked maybe three or four days a week.

They sold rabbits at the butcher shop. Leon often went rabbiting with his father, mostly with rifles, but later using ferrets. Leon would sit on the car, then after Roy shot a rabbit he'd run over and get it. The skins were sold over in Shepparton.8
 
The property had cattle and sheep for Roy and his father's butcher shop. There were work horses, trotting horses, cows for milk and chickens for eggs. The family grew their own vegies and some fruit.

While camping, Roy would collect animals, usually due to injured parents, and take them home. So the Echuca Rd house always had native animals, including a kangaroo, koala, and many different birds in a big aviary.

The family also had pet dogs, cats and rabbits. And a cockatoo Lorraine said would screech 'Shut the bloody gate!' and could call and whistle up the dogs.

Before Leon was born, the family went camping every April. They'd go to places like Mt Buller, Jamieson and Cann River, wherever the trout fishing was good.12,11
Annie (O'Connell), Roy, Lorraine & Val Williams, c. 1933
Image: Val Williams
Annie, Val & Lorraine Williams camping, the car is a Swift
Image: Val Williams
Doorway: Annie Williams & unknown; front: unknown, Lorraine Williams, Val Williams (in gumboots), others unknown the car is a Swift
Image: Val Williams
Main St House
By 1947, Roy had sold the butcher shop, and in January 1948 the family moved to a brick house at 97 Main St.

Barry Reid had originally built the house for Mrs Kearney.

The Echuca Rd house was sold in March 1948.8,13,14,15
Williams family home, 97 Main St, Mooroopna, 1949
Image: Val Williams
Home of Roy & Annie Williams, Main St, Mooroopna
Image: Val Williams
Several of Roy's and Annie's siblings left Mooroopna. But there were many return visits, and their Echuca Rd or Main St homes became the focal point.

Some visits even made the newspapers. Annie's brother Mick and his family were regular visitors. And when any of Roy and Annie's family were passing through Melbourne, they'd often drop in to see Mick and Myra.16,17,4
 
Lorraine, Val and Leon had plenty of contact with their extended family, especially Auntie Bub. Now separated from Frank, she ran the Cricketers Arms Hotel just across the road in Mooroopna and the family often had tea there. Bub later ran the Junction Hotel in Toolamba for 13 years, and Leon fondly recalls the family going there for tea on Sundays.18,19
 
Sisters Nell Bazley and Annie Williams raised families about 170 km apart, but visits were common. When Roy, Annie, Lorraine, Val or Leon stayed in Melbourne it was at Bob and Nell's place in Strathmore. And when Bob, Nell or Ailsa visited Mooroopna, they stayed with Roy and Annie.20,4,21
 
Primary Education & War End
Leon went to primary school at St Mary's in Mooroopna.

In 1950, when he was in Grade VI, Noella Sullivan was dux of the grade, and Leon came second.22,23,24,25,26
 
In 1945, when Leon was in Grade 1, his St Mary's education was interrupted when his mother Annie had a breakdown. He came down to Melbourne to stay with his Auntie Nell (Annie's sister) and Uncle Bob Bazley in Strathmore. He attended school there for about two (of three) terms that year.

While there, Leon recalled the wild celebrations following Japan's World War 2 surrender (August 1945). He also recalled parades and marching and thought that his Uncle Bob took him to Armistice Day celebrations at the MCG.24,27
 
There were many celebrations in Melbourne as the war ended.

V-E Day (victory in Europe) was on 9 May 1945. But celebrations were muted as this was a public holiday where people mostly stayed home, and war continued in the Pacific.

V-P Day (victory in the Pacific) was on 16 August. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central Melbourne, including at the Shrine of Remembrance, to celebrate the end of six years of war.

Armistice Day ceremonies were held on Sunday, 11 November 1945, with the main service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

And large, more organised Victory Day celebrations were held the following year on 10 June.25,28,29,30,31
 
The Melbourne Cricket Ground celebrations that Leon recalls were most likely associated with his Uncle Bob, who was in the RAAF. The MCG was used by the military between 1942 and early 1946, first by the US Marines then by the RAAF.

In September 1945, The Age reported:
Three Victorian airmen, the first RAAF prisoners of war from Japanese camps, reached Melbourne yesterday afternoon by transport plane from Sydney, and were excitedly reunited with their relatives.
Wing Commander R K Bazley, commanding the RAAF depot at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, welcomed the flyers and their relatives.32,27,24,33

 
Another celebration in Melbourne on 22 August 1945 was most likely the one Leon recalled. The RAAF held a victory parade at the Melbourne Cricket Ground six days after the public V-P celebrations. The salute was taken by Leon's Uncle Bob Bazley.34
RAAF during official V-P parade; 1100 airmen and 150 WAAAFS; salute taken by Wing Commander RK Bazley, MCG, Aug 1945
Minute's silence during Victory service in honour of deceased RAAF members, MCG, Aug 1945
St Colman's
In 1951, Leon did the first half of Grade 7 at St Mary's in Mooroopna, and the second half at the newly opened St Colman's in Shepparton.

The opening ceremony was held on Sunday, 8 July 1951 with the Victorian Premier, JGB McDonald in attendance. He had helped to acquire the Bristol prefabricated building with its two classrooms.

Leon's classes began the following day under the Marist Brothers. He was at St Colman's until the end of Grade/Year 10 (Form 4) when he left to do an apprenticeship.8,35,36,6
Leon Williams, front row 4th from right, St Colman's, Shepparton, 1951
Mechanical Apprenticeship
Leon was skilled in all things mechanical.

After Form 4 at school, he did the first two years of a fitting and turning apprenticeship at Goulburn Valley Engineering in Shepparton under Lou Kerambrum.

He completed his apprenticeship in the can shop at Ardmona Cannery.37,6
 
Football
Leon played 85 games over five years for the Mooroopna Football Club, the 'Cats'. In his mid-twenties, he damaged his knee during a game and had to stop playing.27
 
Leon liked his beer. Journalist Tom Carey recalls that Nev Coe's Royal Mail pub was notorious for its drinkers (including Leon). After hours over there, you would be greeted at the door by senior constable Mal Michelle, vice president of the Mooroopna footy club, who would insist you bought a raffle ticket before being allowed in.38
 
Mooroopna Football Club, Leon Williams centre, standing, early 1960s
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
In later years, he was president of the Mooroopna Junior Football Club for 10 years, and a member of the Mooroopna Football Club Board from 1978 to 1990.

Leon was also treasurer of Shepparton Junior Football League for 12 years and Club Delegate for 15 years. The league later made him a Life Member.6
 
Marriage and Family
Leon and Mary were married in St Mary's church, Mooroopna in 1964.1
Leon & Mary Williams (Budd), Apr 1964
Annie Williams (O'Connell), Leon & Mary Williams, unknown, Apr 1964
Image: Val Williams
They have three sons.
Grant, Kent, Leon, Dean & Mary Williams, Kent's christening, 1971
Image: Val Williams
This photo of Leon and Mary's extended family was taken at Leon's 70th birthday celebration at Trawool in 2009.
Leon Williams & family, Leon's 70th birthday party, Trawool, 2009
Ardmona Cannery
Leon retired in 2008 from the Ardmona Cannery after working there for about 48 years.

He worked long and hard to ensure the cannery operated as efficiently as possible. He worked on all physical aspects of the cannery from small pneumatic actuators on the production line, through ultra low wear ceramic rollers for the can lids, to replacing the ageing factory roof.

In 2002, Ardmona merged with SPC and in 2005, Coca-Cola Amatil acquired SPC Ardmona. Leon said that following a Coca-Cola Amatil meeting, they acknowledged the Ardmona operations were more advanced than Shepparton's.6,39,4,40
 
Other Mechanical Work
Leon also had his own small fabrication business in the back shed.

As part of an award, the Mooroopna Fire Brigade gave this account of Leon's work:
Leon’s skills as an engineer have been utilized many times over with a number of notable pieces of competition and station equipment having their origins in Leon’s engineering workshop. Over the years Leon has designed and manufactured a hose washer with brush that was used for 30 years until the CFA had a standard issued designed, a hand hose water drainer Leon designed is still in use along with a 'pineapple' spray designed to put out internal fires in roofs. Another modification, a swivel monitor (a type of water cannon), enabled tankers to direct water more accurately on fires while mobile, this modification was adopted by many of the local fire brigades and was in active use until the early 1990’s.6,41

 
When Leon worked with Keith Russell at the Chilly Billy Ice Works, he saw people shovel ice into bags by hand and thought there had to be an easier way. He designed and built a pneumatically controlled ice bagging machine requiring only one operator to simply staple the bag closed. The machines, made in the back shed, were distributed up and down the east coast of Australia and some went overseas. It was never patented.6
Leon built and fixed things for many others. He built milking yards for a couple of dairy farmers at Ardmona, built horse stables for trainers Basil Lee and Laurie Phillips, fabricated the long slides at the KidsTown playground between Mooroopna and Shepparton, and fixed kindergarten toys.6
 
Fire Brigade
Leon received special dispensation to join the Mooroopna Country Fire Authority at age 15. The firefighters had noticed him watching them train at the old Main St training track in front of his parents' house.42
Leon Williams at his Mooroopna fire track
Image: Kent Williams
In the 2007 Queen's Birthday honours, Leon was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM). The citation reads:
Mr Williams has been the Secretary for the Mooroopna Urban Fire Brigade for 42 years and a volunteer firefighting officer; in total, he has been an active member for over 51 years. His administrative capabilities and devotion to the Brigade has made him the driving force in the development of many of the Brigade’s projects. Mr Williams’ commitment and dedication to the Brigade is unparalleled. He has been the Brigade’s delegate to the Goulburn Valley’s Urban Fire Brigade Association for the past 35 years; a member of the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee for local council for over 22 years; the Region 22 Victorian Urban Fire Brigade Association delegate for over 30 years, including serving as President for the past 15 years; and the Brigade’s PFA-FEM Officer for over 35 years. In addition, over the past 25 years Mr Williams has organised activities and various competitions and encouraged local kindergartens and schools to visit the fire station for educational excursions. He has also been responsible for organising the fire brigade march during the annual Fire Prevention Week, and was Secretary for the CFA-VUFBA Senior State Championships in 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2005, and the Junior State Championships in 1984.43

 
In his eulogy, son Grant said Leon was quite proud of his AFSM. Probably more so than even his OAM, and only slightly behind having the stand at the recreation reserve named after him.6
 
Leon played a major role in the construction of two fire stations, in 1967 and 1991.44
Leon Williams, Alan Harbrow, Kevin Baldwin, J Reynolds, Keith Barbour (inset); officers in charge at the opening of the new fire station, 1967
Image: Ever Ready Ever Willing 1992
Leon Williams in front of the new Mooroopna fire station, c. 1991
Image: Ever Ready Ever Willing 1992
Part of Leon's AFSM nomination reads:
His dedication to the Brigade is evident in the many hours he spent compiling the 100 year History of the Mooroopna Fire Brigade - published in 1992. Leon spent many hours researching history and sourcing photos and information from the local area for the publisher.6,44

Leon Williams, Kevin Baldwin, Alan Harbrow, Centenary History Committee, c. 1992
Image: Ever Ready Ever Willing 1992
The July 1992 Ever Ready Ever Willing book launch coincided with Leon and close friend and brigade Captain, Keith Barbour, receiving national medals recognising their contributions to Mooroopna Fire Brigade.45
Captain Keith Barbour & secretary Leon Williams, centenary celebration book launch, Jul 1992
Image: Shepparton News
At the time of his death, Leon's fire brigade involvement included:
• Mooroopna Fire Brigade member for 62 years including about 50 years as Secretary.
• Life Member of the CFA and the Mooroopna Fire Brigade.
• Member of CFA District 22 for over 40 years and Chair for over 20 years.6
Albert Wong, Leon Williams, John Wong, Kevin Baldwin, Alan Harbrow, Mooroopna Fire Brigade life members, 1992
Image: Ever Ready Ever Willing 1992
At his funeral, Leon's casket was carried on a 1937 Dodge fire truck. It drove through a guard of honour comprising firemen from across Victoria. On its way to the cemetery, as it passed the Mooroopna fire station that Leon was instrumental in building, there was a second guard of honour by those at the station.4
Leon's funeral, casket on a 1937 Dodge, April 2017
Image: Caitlin Barker
Leon's funeral, guard of honour, April 2017
Image: Caitlin Barker
The 'Rec'
Leon's involvement with the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, or the 'Rec' as it was universally known, began as a child. He helped his father Roy, who was secretary of the racing club and did lots of maintenance and building work there. Leon took over his father's role (Roy died when Leon was sixteen) and added several more.

Initially the land comprised a racecourse, trotting club and a football oval. It was used by Mooroopna Football Club, cricket club, Goulburn Valley Turf Club (a 1960 combination of Shepparton and Mooroopna clubs), Mooroopna Trotting Club, bowls club, croquet club, fire brigade and many other community groups. In support of these groups, Leon was the driving force or a key player behind most, if not all, development initiatives at the reserve.46,8
 
He would mow and water the race track. Water was pumped out of the dam and after school, he would shift the pipes and their sprinklers around. In later years, anyone around at the time would get to help: niece, nephew, in-law, son - even girlfriend or wife.6,4
 
During his time in various roles on the Recreation Reserve Committee, Leon has seen the land developed as a large passive sporting complex, catering for nine sports. The area is considered by many as a model showpiece for sports grounds around the State.6
 
In an overlap with his fire brigade work, in 1970 when Leon was treasurer of the Recreation Reserve committee, he successfully lobbied to set aside land for the development of a fire brigade track. He then became the driving force behind the planning and construction of the track, working both as the coordinator and on the ground at working bees to complete the project. He used his influence with the shire council and the water board to complete parts of the project. The brigade's State Championship track was officially open by the CFA Chairman in 1981, 11 years after Leon’s initial idea was conceived, and until 2017 has played host to thirteen Association Championships, including four Senior State Championships and one Junior State Championship.6
 
Leon was on the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Management Committee for about 50 years, the last 25 years as the Chair.

He was part of the Sir Ian McLennan Sports Centre Board from 1980 and Chair from 1990. It was appropriate that Leon's funeral service was held at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre. Leon had managed to get a meeting with former Mooroopna resident, Sir Ian McLennan, once Chairman and Director of BHP, at the Melbourne Club. The result of that meeting was the largest and most significant financial contribution to the construction of the building.6
 
In 1984, in recognition of Leon’s dedication, the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Committee named the newly erected grandstand on the main oval the 'Leon Williams' stand. During his eulogy, son Grant said:
It was pretty hard to tell with Dad, but I think he was probably most proud of having the stand on the other side of the ground named after him in 1984.

This was ahead of his Australian Fire Service Medal and OAM.6
Leon Williams Stand, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Apr 2006
OAM and Other Community Work 
On Australia Day 2014, Leon was awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. The citation reads:
Mr Leon Roy WILLIAMS AFSM, 89 McLennan Street, Mooroopna Vic 3629
For service to the community of Shepparton.

Chairman, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, for 21 years; Treasurer, for 8 years; Member, Management Committee, since 1967.
Area Manager, Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, for many years since 1976.
Councillor, St Mary's Primary School, for 16 years.
Board Member, Mooroopna Water and Sewerage Authority, for 8 years.
Member, Mooroopna Apex Club, for 10 years.
Member, Sir Ian McLennan Sports Centre Board, since 1980; Chairman, since 1990.

President, Mooroopna Junior Football Club, for 10 years.
Chairman, Mooroopna Memorial Swimming Pool, for 8 years; Member, for 20 years.
Treasurer, Shepparton Junior Football League, for 12 years; Delegate, for 15 years; Life Member.
Delegate, Goulburn Murray Football District Board, for 6 years.
Member, Mooroopna Football Club Board, 1978-1990.

Chairman, Country Fire Authority VUFBA State Championships, 2012; Secretary, 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2005.
Secretary, Mooroopna Urban Fire Brigade, since 1967; Member, since 1955; Life Member.
Member, Country Fire Authority District 22, for 34 years; Chairman, for 14 years.

Awards/recognition include:
Australian Fire Service Medal, 2007.
Citizen of the Year, Rodney Shire Council, 1993.
Grandstand named in his honour, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, 1984.47

 
Leon rated his OAM just behind having the stand on the oval named after him and his Australian Fire Service Medal. Leon was passionate about Mooroopna, yet his OAM was for 'Service to the Community of Shepparton'. He tried to get the wording changed to 'Mooroopna' including trying to clarify it to the Governor of Victoria at the ceremony.6
Leon Williams & Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, OAM ceremony, Melbourne, Mar 2014
Image: Commonwealth of Australia
Leon Williams & Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, OAM ceremony, Melbourne, Mar 2014
Image: Commonwealth of Australia
In May 2014, a Community Dinner was held in his honour at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre in Mooroopna.4
Mary Williams, Keith Barbour, Leon Williams, Leon's OAM community dinner, Sir Ian McLennan Centre, Mooroopna, May 2014
Leon was coordinator of the Fire Brigade’s Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal from the mid-1970s. In an article in the Shepparton News in 2014 on the occasion of his 40th year as appeal co-ordinator, Leon said the money collected fluctuated over the decades. In 1974 the Mooroopna effort raised $1150 and last year (2013) raised almost $32,000. The total raised since 1974 was in excess of $725,000.6,42
 
The Royal Children's Hospital gave this supporting notice to Leon's death notice:
The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal deeply regrets the passing of volunteer Leon Williams. Leon will be remembered as one of our most active and passionate fundraisers in Mooroopna and district. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mary and family.48

 
Tributes flowed at the dinner.49
 
Lead speaker John Gray described Mr Williams as a home-grown, parochial country-town citizen.
'He is a get-up-and-go, hands-on, make-it-happen, selfless operator who cares little for idle rhetoric and certainly has scant regard for red tape,' Mr Gray told the audience.

...

Mr Williams said he had no plans of retiring from his active community life.

When he spoke to The News yesterday, he was busy preparing an old Ardmona closing machine for display at Mooroopna Historical Society.

'Right now T'm pretty flat out, especially at the historical society fixing things and making things,' he said.

'But I'll keep going with everything - it just might be at a slower rate.'
Selfless: Leon 'Whiskey' Williams, pictured with his wife Mary, was honoured for his tireless dedication to the Mooroopna community at a testimonial dinner on Sunday. Picture: Julie Mercer
Image: Shepparton News
Failing Health
In late 2016, Leon's health began to fail. By March 2017, with local doctors unable to pinpoint any root cause, he was taken to Epworth Hospital in Melbourne. Further tests also failed to find a root cause.

Leon Roy Williams died of lung and neurological problems at Epworth hospital in Richmond on 10 April 2017, aged 77, surrounded by family. He was buried at Mooroopna cemetery on 18 April 2017.4,2
 
Leon's funeral service was held at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre he helped to build, overlooked by the Leon Williams grandstand. The casket was carried on a vintage fire truck, through two guards of honour on its way to cemetery.50,4
 

Citations

  1. [S196] Mary Williams, personal communication, 20 April 2014.
  2. [S567] Leon Roy Williams, death registration no. 28887, 10 April 2017.
  3. [S201] 'From Patricia's Notebook', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 1 September 1939, p. 2, viewed 29 March 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186110130
  4. [S126] Peter Phillips, personal knowledge or recollection.
  5. [S1] With no official documents to go on, the spelling, 'Whiskey' or 'Whisky', depends on which friend or family member is writing it. I have used 'Whiskey' (Irish) rather than 'Whisky' (Scottish) because Leon has Irish heritage, but no Scottish heritage, but both are valid.
  6. [S261] Leon Williams, Eulogy, document, 18 April 2017.
  7. [S515] Valma Ellen Williams, birth registration no. 5816, 29 January 1930.
  8. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 2 September 2012.
  9. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication, August and September 2012.
  10. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication, 28 August 2012.
  11. [S448] Grandma living in the 1930s, story, c. 1999.
  12. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication, 21 August 2012.
  13. [S59] Val Williams, personal communication, 28 September 1996.
  14. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, certificate of title, vol. 6783, folio 1356472, Mooroopna 1945-1974.
  15. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, certificate of title, vol. 5598, folio 476, Mooroopna 1929-1998.
  16. [S201] 'Social notes', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 26 October 1938, p. 3, viewed 19 September 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article176272215
  17. [S201] 'Personal', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 12 January 1943, p. 2, viewed 19 September 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175182494
  18. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 18 October 2016.
  19. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication, 28 September 1996.
  20. [S201] 'From Patricia's diary', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 12 January 1943, p. 5, viewed 19 September 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175182497
  21. [S201] 'From Patricia's diary', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 8 September 1950, p. 2, viewed 19 September 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189071039
  22. [S201] 'School concert at Mooroopna', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 15 December 1950, p. 7, viewed 9 September 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189072163
  23. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, September 2012.
  24. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 9 September 2016.
  25. [S171] 'To-day is V-E Day: Many Thanksgiving celebrations', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 9 May 1945, p. 5, viewed 1 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204013098
  26. [S171] 'Melbourne crowds greet their heroes on Victory Day', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 11 June 1946, p. 1, viewed 1 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19534429
  27. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 3 September 2012.
  28. [S171] 'Final stage of surrender', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 17 August 1945, p. 1, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204015951
  29. [S171] 'Gaiety and solemnity in Melbourne: After six years of war strain', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 17 August 1945, p. 3, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19531117
  30. [S171] 'Armistice Day: Empire remembers dead heroes', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 12 November 1945, p. 3, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205656695
  31. [S171] 'Melbourne crowds greet their heroes', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 11 June 1946, p. 1, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206097691
  32. [S171] 'First RAAF POW home: Happy reunions', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 18 September 1945, p. 3, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205647853
  33. [S465] 'Demons back to own ground', Sporting Globe, 1922-1996, newspaper, Herald and Weekly Times, 14 August 1946, p. 12, viewed 3 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/178119486
  34. [S467] 'RAAF victory parade at MCG', Herald, 1855-1990, newspaper, FB Franklyn & Co, 22 August 1953, p. 1, viewed 27 June 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/249174450/…
  35. [S466] Beginnings 1902-2002: 100 years of the Sisters of Mercy and Catholic education in Shepparton, 2002, pp. 46-48.
  36. [S201] 'Bishop opens Catholic college', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 10 July 1951, p. 8, viewed 5 April 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170016319
  37. [S294] 'Lost Mooroopna', Facebook, social network, 20 March 2018, VicKath Brett comment 21 March 2018 in Lost Mooroopna post, viewed 21 March 2018.
  38. [S214] Tom Carey, personal communication, May 2001.
  39. [S246] 'Coca-Cola Amatil', Wikipedia, online, Wikimedia Foundation, viewed 29 March 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_Amatil
  40. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 1 March 2014.
  41. [S246] 'Water cannon', Wikipedia, online, Wikimedia Foundation, viewed 29 March 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cannon
  42. [S18] Griepink, Estelle, 'Appeal service', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 18 April 2014, p. 3, Story of Leon's community service work, particularly his 40 years of co-ordinating the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday appeal in Mooroopna.
  43. [S2] 'The Queen's Birthday 2007 Honours List: Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)', Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, online, viewed 12 April 2018, https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/…
  44. [S295] Ever Ready Ever Willing: Mooroopna fire brigade 1892-1992, Mooroopna Fire Brigade, 1992.
  45. [S18] 'Leon lives his dream', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 3 July 1992, p. 29.
  46. [S164] Mooroopna to 1988, 1989, p. 190.
  47. [S2] 'Australia Day 2014 Honours Lists: Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division', Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, online, viewed 14 April 2018, https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/…
  48. [S271] 'Tributes: Williams, Leon Roy (OAM & AFSM)', Herald Sun, 1990-, newspaper, Herald & Weekly Times, 13 April 2017, viewed 12 April 2018, http://tributes.heraldsun.com.au/notice/380752056/view
  49. [S18] Griepink, Estelle, 'Improving town Leon's life', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, (date uncertain) 2014.
  50. [S18] 'Former fireman's fitting farewell', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 19 April 2017, p. 3.