General News
20 April, 2026
Vale Leslie 'Digger' Winsall
The community came together on April 10 to farewell Digger Winsall. Family, friends, coworkers, and community members packed out the Warracknabeal Fire Station to honour the man who had dedicated his life to serving others.
Born Leslie Victor Eric Winsall on July 11, 1932, he was known as Vic in his early years, but soon earned the nickname Digger.
Firefighting was in Diggers’ DNA; when he was born, his dad Leslie ‘Pop’ Winsall was the resident officer of the Warracknabeal Fire Brigade.
Digger and his family - Leslie, mum Isabel, older sister Isabel and younger sister Phyllis - lived at the Fire Station in Deveraux Street.
He attended Warracknabeal and Ballarat State schools, then Warracknabeal High School.
Digger started working with Fred Callaway after school in 1946 at 14, starting an apprenticeship in Men’s Hairdressing in 1951 and completing it in 1957.
In 1956, he met Ruth, and they quickly became engaged. They were married on March 16, 1957.
They were blessed with four sons: Anthony (1959), Garry (1961), Paul (1965) and Darren (1969).
In the mid-60s, Digger and Ruth purchased the business; he worked in the same shop and chair until he retired in 2002 at the age of 70.
From a young age, he was dedicated to the CFA; he and his parents had a system, as when the alarm was raised via phone or carrier pigeon.
It was Digger’s role to run out the front and ring the fire alarm bell in the tower while his dad got the truck ready, and his mum would ensure the call details were correct.
Digger officially joined the brigade in December 1948, the same night as Noel Tempest and Gordon ‘Snakes’ Jonasson.
Over the decades, he held many positions within the Warracknabeal Brigade, including serving as Captain for 22 years.
Digger was elected as Region 17 delegate to the VUFBA (Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association) from 1979 to 1998, until the compulsory retirement at the age of 65 years.
He was a fervent competitor and coach in the Fire brigade competitions across the state, enjoying success across Australia, including winning the Marshall, 1 competitor in Tasmania in 1954.
He also teamed up with Eddy Michael, Paddy Smith & Jack Thewlis to win the Champion 4’s in the same state.
He won the 1960 Victorian Y coupling and ladder eights. With Kevin Jonasson,, he won the Marshall 2-competitor event in 1963.
With the help of Gordon Jonasson, Digger formed the Warracknabeal Junior Fire Brigade in 1970.
He ran the juniors and coached them until they progressed to the seniors; Digger handed the junior program over in 1987.
For his countless hours of dedication, he was bestowed with many life memberships, including a CFA Honorary Life Membership in 1978, Victoria Urban Fire Brigade Association (1989), Warracknabeal Fire Brigade (1997), VFBV District 17 (1997), Western Wimmera Fire Brigades Association and Western Districts Fire Brigades Association.
He was also awarded the Queen's Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 1976, VUFBA Gold Star (1980), National Medal (1987), and Australian Fire Service Medal in 1992.
Digger was also posthumously recognised for 75 years' service to the CFA, in a presentation to his family after the service.
Speaking on behalf of his family, eldest son Tony said it was an honour to receive the award.
Digger was also a keen sportsperson, playing football with Warracknabeal, golf at Sheep Hills and tennis for Lah.
He won the Reserve Football Premiership with Warracknabeal in 1956 and was awarded life membership that year.
He diligently watched his sons play for the Warracknabeal Football Club, offering feedback, albeit sometimes unsolicited.
He would also offer similar advice to the umpires and opposition players.
He diligently supported his children in every endeavour, whether it was sport or with the fire brigade, often offering to help behind the scenes.
He extended this endless support to his grandchildren, Amy, Shaune, Devon, Petah, Jordan, Zach and Jaxon, and later his great-grandchildren Archie, Lennie, George, Lewis and Harriett.
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