A leader in the shire, and across the Hunter Valley, Mr Elvin was known for sharing his knowledge and love of art with anyone and everyone.

Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre manager Brad Franks said Uncle Les Elvin was one of the Hunter Valley’s great artists.

“His works are represented, not just in public collections- such as those at Muswellbrook, not just in public buildings, but in the homes of many here in the Valley as well as across the nation and overseas,” he said.

“Like Uncle Les himself, his art spoke directly to people, and they wanted to hear it.”

“In the 14 years I have been blessed with his friendship I can remember Les expressing only one regret and half heartedly at that, that he never seemed to have enough time to paint his own pictures and the reason for this was that he gave so very much of his time to other things he thought more important.”

Muswellbrook mayor Martin Rush expressed the significance of Mr Elvin’s contribution to the people of the Shire.

“Mr Elvin was a remarkable artist and community leader, who devoted much of his life to improving opportunities for other people through the arts and promoting reconciliation across the community,” he said.

“His passing marks a very sad occasion for Muswellbrook and the Hunter region, particularly to members of the Aboriginal community.”

Living in Cessnock, Mr Elvin spent limitless hours working across the Hunter, not only sharing his skill, but also his culture.

Throughout Muswellbrook, evidence of his work is everywhere you look.

He worked with the Muswellbrook Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee, and created murals for libraries, schools and more.

Walking through Simpson Park, the colourful Muswellbrook Reconciliation Mural- a project for which he collaborated with George Anderson- catches your attention.

Stepping into the local art gallery, his influence remains.

In 2005, he was an instrumental the development of the Muswellbrook NAIDOC Week Aboriginal Art Prize and exhibition.

“That Prize was partly a response to the extraordinary work that Les conducted as a TAFE teacher at the St. Heliers Correctional Centre where he worked with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates to develop their artistic skills and their appreciation and understanding of their indigenous heritage and strength,” Mr Franks said.

“Les took similar programs to the indigenous inmates at the Cessnock Correctional Centre.

“In 2008 Les was awarded the National NAIDOC Week Artist of the Year, a fitting tribute to his art and his teaching.

“Uncle Les Elvin was a true Wanaruah Elder, a direct descendant of Billy Jonas and a resident of the whole Hunter Valley, who as a boy, had been taught the traditional ways of fishing by his grandfather along the Karuah River.

“And, who as himself, an Elder, was ceaseless in teaching the ways of the Wanaruah to each new generation, both black and white, of Australians.”

Mr Elvin would often host workshops for young and old, sharing traditional techniques and the meaning behind symbols used in Aboriginal artwork.