Leon Speed

Leon Speed grew up in Bald Hills, Brisbane. He now lives in Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast.

Leon left Aspley State High School after grade 10 in 1980 to start work as a blackboard/whiteboard manufacturer. He soon scored an apprenticeship in upholstery and disliked every minute working in a shed. He then spent 6 years as a sandblaster/spray painter and crane driver, a very dirty job but he enjoyed working in the open air exposed to the elements.

In those days they worked in shorts, no shirt, thongs, and a pair of plastic goggles. No safety in the workplace at all. Many years later after different jobs, he found myself employed as a poly pipe welder in a factory again but this time with on-site work for a little bit of freedom.

Through playing tennis from aged 7 and enjoying a very active, sporting and working life, his body started to hurt. He now has back, knee, and shoulder problems as a consequence. After the death of his father, he decided to give accounting at university a go at age 38 and earn a living using his brain instead of his body. This involved learning to use a computer. University was where he would learn to study and research for the first time.

He is now unemployed and enjoys picking on politicians and all the wrongs in the world. Leon loves learning. He has a personality which sees him stick up for family, friends, and strangers sometimes to his own detriment. He now enjoys fishing, body surfing, and long walks when the body allows. He has a 25 year old son and a crazy 5 year old grandson who gives him a reason to act like a kid. His son calls him a "kidult".  Leon is looking forward to watching his grandson grow into an adult.