Tragedy in Awaba: 98-Year-Old Local Icon Struck and Killed

23 June 2025

ACA Video from 7 months ago, from YouTube

ACA Video from 7 months ago, from YouTube

newy.com.au – The tight-knit town of Awaba is mourning the death of 98-year-old Lennie “Lenny” Wilton, a beloved figure who was struck and killed by a ute just metres from his home on Cessnock Road near Kilaben Street on the evening of Sunday, 22 June 2025.

Lenny, who locals affectionately called the “Bush Bachelor”, lived a life that seemed frozen in time. He slept in the same bedroom he was born in, began his days with four Weet-Bix, and rode his bicycle for up to 20 kilometres, bringing back the local paper, and tending to the animals of neighbours along bush-lined roads. His life was quiet, consistent and steeped in routine.

A segment which aired on A Current Affair seven months ago offered an intimate glimpse into Lenny’s world. At 97, he was still cycling daily through Awaba and nearby towns like Blackalls Park, Fennell Bay and Toronto. He never counted the kilometres but always made it back before sundown. His meals were unchanged for decades: four slices of bread with baked beans for lunch, and meat with three vegetables for dinner. He listened to the midday news each day and tended to horses on neighbouring properties. Lenny once said he had no interest in marriage, finding more joy in the company of animals and the bush. He credited his long life to staying active, keeping to himself, and not being bothered by others.

NBN News reporter Jane Goldsmith remembered Lenny as a “local legend” in a video posted to Facebook, talking about his ever-present bicycle and his preference for simplicity over modern life. Residents often spotted him pedalling along Awaba’s backroads, waving to drivers and feeding livestock as dusk settled across the paddocks. His gentle habits had become part of the town’s character.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after Lenny was hit while crossing the road, but sadly, he could not be revived. The driver of the vehicle, a 49-year-old man, was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing. Lake Macquarie Police have launched an investigation, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner.

For the community of Awaba and surrounds, Lenny’s death has hit hard. He wasn’t just well-known, he was woven into the daily life of the town. His presence on the roads and in the paddocks gave Awaba a heartbeat that’s now been abruptly silenced.

Just days earlier, another tragedy struck the Hunter region, with the death of a female passenger and the loss of the driver’s unborn child in a crash at North Lambton. Then, in the early hours of Monday, 23 June, a 38-year-old woman was killed when her Suzuki hatchback collided with another vehicle on Main Road at Fennell Bay. The car crashed through a fence and struck a tree, with emergency services unable to save her at the scene.

NBN News featured a story tonight on Lenny, which you can watch on 9Now