Les Stephson, 95, remains dedicated to treasured garden

Les Stephson lost his wife of over 60 years, but he still makes sure to collect Fae’s favourite flowers from their award-winning garden and puts them aside for her. SEE THE VIDEO

Almost one year on from losing the love of his life, 95-year-old Les Stephson still collects the full bloom of delicate pink and white camellias from their backyard and puts them aside for Fae.

They were Fae’s favourite – this year, he is dedicating the garden to the wife he misses terribly every day.

Despite raging winds, scorching heat, frosty mornings and heartache, Mr Stephson remains determined to showcase the multi-award winning garden that he and Fae grew and tended to together for decades.

Having just repainted his entire house and roof as well as curating one of the city’s most stunning and vibrant backyards that has already drawn busloads of tourists to his Perth St property, he has never let his age deter him from living life to the fullest.

In a space of an hour, three busloads of garden enthusiasts arrive at Mr Stephson’s home and his rosy cheeks are a telltale sign he’s spent a vast majority of the day out in the sun, tending to the garden and welcoming visitors.

“(The garden) has been open for ages, I’m almost worn out from it – just look how sunburnt I am,” Mr Stephson laughed.

Les Stephson's garden has attracted visitors from all around the world during Carnival season. Photo: Jessica Klein

This year marks Mr Stephson’s 37th year as a private garden in the Chronicle Garden Competition.

“I dedicated the garden to her, I still talk to her all the time when I’m out here,” he said.

Les was around the back of the home painting when he heard an awful sound.

He yelled out through the window but she never answered.

Fae died in his arms while waiting for emergency services.

Paramedics were able to revive her but at the hospital doctors told him she was brain dead so the decision was made to turn off her life support.

A memorial site for his late wife sits among three other memorials in the garden, dedicated to his two daughters and his mother-in-law.

Fae once operated a floristry business out of their garden shed, while Les was a professional mechanical engineer he also played the role of flower delivery man.

“I used to call myself the fastest delivery man in the southwest, I still have my little Corolla in the shed it was a well-known car,” he said.

Les Stephson's late wife Fae had an eye for Camellia's, a treasured flower in his garden. Photo: Jessica Klein

Mr Stephson said despite this year’s atrocious weather, he continued to plant his garden.

A self-confessed orchid man, Mr Stephson said part of the garden was once home to over 5000 orchids, winning him a world championship award.

His treasured white banksia rose is one you won’t miss as its floral aroma illuminates the garden, wrapped around archways found as you enter and towards the back of the garden.

Mr Stephson said the garden began as a family affair, with his children always eager to help out.

Les and Fae Stephson, 161 Perth Street, South Toowoomba. Chronicle Garden CompetitionSeptember 2023

“I’ve always done it and I love it and my children used to like doing a bit of it, they’d throw their bags over the fence and go to the veggie garden, they loved it,” he said.

“I don’t think of it as work, I always say I’m playing in the garden and I just like doing it.”

Mr Stephson’s iconic and award-winning garden is located at 161 Perth St in South Toowoomba.

The finalists and Grand Champion of the 2024 Chronicle Garden Competition will be announced on Thursday, September 19 and published in Friday’s Chronicle.

Copies of the Garden Competition map will be available in Friday’s print edition and available to purchase in local supermarkets and participating newsagents.