TRIBUTES have been flowing for Charleville-born former State MP Vince Lester, who passed away last Tuesday (August 17), aged 87.
Mr Lester was a mainstay of the once-mighty National Party, serving three decades in Parliament after being elected in 1974 as the Member for Belyando.
A baker by trade, the colourful Mr Lester, after his seats had been abolished, also served as the Member for Peak Downs and Member for Keppel.
Before going to George Street, he was a councillor on the now-defunct Belyando Shire Council whilst operating a bakery in Clermont.
“Vince was a larger-than-life figure in Queensland politics and a passionate advocate for our communities,” said current Keppel MP Nigel Hutton.
Mr Lester rose to prominence in 1983 when he was promoted to Cabinet by legendary former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. He served across various portfolios including employment and training, small business, consumer affairs, industrial affairs and in the post-Fitzgerald era, police.
Mr Lester became famous for his public policy work in relation to toilet doors, pushing for new building regulations in Queensland which would ensure doors to cubicles in new buildings would swing outwards, as opposed to inwards. However, his most memorable stunts came when he walked backwards.
The first of those walks was in 1977 when Mr Lester covered 24 kilometres to raise funds for then financially-embattled Clermont Bears.
He had served as club president from 1968 to 1974 and at one stage, also as vice-president of the Central Highlands Rugby League.
“A man who helped build the foundations of Rugby League in Clermont,” the Bears proudly declared on their Facebook page.
Mr Lester is especially remembered in the Central Highlands where the bridge across the Nogoa River at Emerald bears his name.
A condolence motion is expected to be moved in Parliament when the House sits tomorrow (August 25).
Mr Lester will be farewelled at a service in Toowoomba this Friday (August 28).
PHOTO: Charleville-born Vince Lester…a big name in Queensland politics, serving in State Parliament for 30 years.
POSTED: Monday, August 24, 2026