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Winsleigh Robert (Leigh) Swynny (1914–1963)

Their colleagues and friends were shocked recently at the deaths, with only a couple of days between, of Messrs B. C. Jackson and W. R. [Winsleigh Robert] Swynny. Both men were in their late forties and their deaths were unexpected. Both were Associates of the Institute.

Leigh Swynny entered service with the N.S.W. Forestry Commission at Bulahdelah and soon transferred to Moss Vale where the boom-demands of wartime were forcing high-tempo exploitation of low-quality forests. He shifted again to Bellangry, in the Wauchope district, where ‘Operation Oxley’ was under way and, beyond Bellangry, the exploitation of the rich and rugged Mount Boss area was being planned. During this time Leigh made for himself a reputation for faithful attention to the small necessary details of large-scale and imaginative developments. After his tour of duty at Bellangry, Leigh spent a couple of years in Wauchope organising the local Bush Fire Brigades then transferred to Head Office in Sydney on fire control duties. Since 1958 he has worked as an extension officer on amenities plantings.

Leigh was a man who could count only friends amongst all his acquaintance. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters to whom we offer our sympathy.

Original publication

Citation details

'Swynny, Winsleigh Robert (Leigh) (1914–1963)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/swynny-winsleigh-robert-leigh-19001/text30603, accessed 29 March 2024.

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