The 71-year-old MidCoast Council councillor had only been given the all clear following a brush with kidney cancer, when he learned prostate cancer was knocking on his door.

And, once again he was asymptomatic, not a hint that without treatment he had just six months to live.

"At the time I was full of energy; I was powering on following the kidney cancer," he said.

Not realising the full extent and seriousness of the situation, Len was determined to concentrate on the upcoming 2020 local government elections.

Len believed he could postpone any treatment until after the election.

Then his specialist delivered the grim news.

Without treatment Len wouldn't make it beyond the September elections; Christmas at best.

Understandably nervous, Len was initially hesitant about what form the treatment would take.

"My mum had multiple myeloma and lost all her hair," Len said.

"But, I was in a good position."

And, he had strong support from wife Sue and his close-knit family.

A series of hormone and radiation treatments followed by four months of daily trips to Newcastle for chemotherapy, understandably took a toll on Len's body,

On a couple of occasions he was rushed back into hospital with seriously high temperatures, lung infection and atypical pneumonia.

Throughout it all, Len continue to serve the community attending every council meeting and his Tea Gardens Baptist Church parish - except during his hospital stay.

Len paid tribute to his fellow councillors, who he said were incredibly supportive.

A crash course in teleconferencing platform Zoom gave Len the tools to continue church services and along with the pastoral welfare team, provide spiritual care the congregation.

While regular phone calls and emails kept Len updated on community and church activities, he craved face-to-face communications.

Len recuperated and isolated on his 80 hectare Tea Gardens holding, where he runs 20 Angus breeders and has planted the property back to 17,000 native trees.

"The hardest thing when I was sick - I couldn't see my grandkids; that was hard."

In March this year Len got the all clear.

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Len's miraculous recovery was also been tinged with sadness.

A young man, long-time parishioner and confident didn't have the same outcome with his prostate battle.

Len performed the funeral service, which he described as both confronting and a joyous occasion and he was honoured to have known him.

Len is urging all men, no matter what age, to listen to their bodies and don't delay in consulting a doctor.

And, his hair - that's grown back to what it was like 10 years ago.

"And, I feel the best I have felt in years."

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