Island Identities
BENTLEY Bill and Pat
BEESLEY Midge
BOULD Irene
BENNAN Mark
CHAFF-BAG Charlie
COULTER Marj & Keith
DARROCH Lee
EVANS Georgina
FISHER John & Rhondda
FOREMAN Peter
FRECHEVILLE James
GREENAWAY Darren & Susan
HAMILTON David & Judy
HOLBROOK Jack & Cathy
HUGHES Stuart
KENNER Phil
LANGLEY Iris
MANUELL Peter
MARSDEN David & Merle
MARSDEN Dennis & Carol
MARTIN John & Judy
MASKIELL Ron
MOTHERSOLE David & Jo
MEDWIN Bowling Club
MOORE/ McCOLL Kay & Don
MUELLER Willi & Inge
MOUNTAIN Carol
RUTTER Nick & Katherine
RENNICK Judy
REIDY Ian & Robyn
SCARFACE
SIACCI Colin & Wyonne
SIMPSON Donna
TRENERY Ken
UEBERGANG Jill
ROSSETTI Fae
van MANNEN Gerry & Barbara
WILLIAMS Elsie
WILLIAMS Glenn & Bernadette
YOUNG Barbara
This is about Pete
The year was 2002 and Pete was dying.t
The year was 2002 and Pete was dying.t
That time in 2002 brought the family and friends together. Many people visited, paying their respects, bringing many things and, as Joc remembers, “they cleaned the house." Joc says: “It was huge; people chopped wood, brought food, held working bees and took him for walks. Nick spent a lot of time entertaining Pete." Joc's brother Jeff and sisters, Katie and Barbara, moved in to help Joc nurse him.
This is how most remember Peter. Half in half out of his car.
We show three photos of that time.
: Pete enjoys sitting out the front on the lounge his Mum bought for him under the blanket Josie Davis made.
: Nick entertaining his Dad.
: Michael M and Angela are listening to Nick playing his guitar for Peter.
One of his most favourite things; listening to Nick.
We show three photos of that time.
: Pete enjoys sitting out the front on the lounge his Mum bought for him under the blanket Josie Davis made.
: Nick entertaining his Dad.
: Michael M and Angela are listening to Nick playing his guitar for Peter.
One of his most favourite things; listening to Nick.
Peter had two children from his first marriage, Helen and Aaron and
then two children with his second wife Jocelyn; Romany and Nick.
then two children with his second wife Jocelyn; Romany and Nick.
Once again Pete with his dearly loved children of whom he was particularly proud. Daughters Helen and Romany and sons Aaron an
This extract of the farewell letter to his school council describes Pet
The Celebration of Pete’s life
This was attended by a huge number of people , not just Islanders, but friends from all corners of Australia wanted to be part of this day.
Many people contributed: here are thoughts expressed by some of them :
Read an extract of Mark Brennan’s letter at the Celebration of Peter's life
This was attended by a huge number of people , not just Islanders, but friends from all corners of Australia wanted to be part of this day.
Many people contributed: here are thoughts expressed by some of them :
Read an extract of Mark Brennan’s letter at the Celebration of Peter's life
His best mate "MM" ( Michael Madden ) also spoke as
Denise Turner also spoke .
This is an overview of a man’s very busy life
Letter to press
The following letter was important to Pete.
When he wrote “Identifying groups' concern “, in his mind this letter established the unity of the Island.
The following letter was important to Pete.
When he wrote “Identifying groups' concern “, in his mind this letter established the unity of the Island.
Peter did love his poultry. ( seen here with TREVOR ) People have said more than once that one of the endearing memories they have of him was his love for anything poultry…. There was often a trail of hens and ducks following him around his unfinished house.
With his sister Judy ( who now lives in Melton ) and his mother
With his mother at Queenscliff. Olive Manuell is 88, fit and well and living in Wendouree.
The other photo is of Peter and a friend ( Peter is on the left )
Peter was the second child and only son. Their father was a teacher who also became a principal. Peter started school in Port Fairy where his father was teaching. As his father was being promoted the family moved around quite a bit living in towns like Camperdown and Ballarat. Peter matriculated in Ballarat.
With his mother at Queenscliff. Olive Manuell is 88, fit and well and living in Wendouree.
The other photo is of Peter and a friend ( Peter is on the left )
Peter was the second child and only son. Their father was a teacher who also became a principal. Peter started school in Port Fairy where his father was teaching. As his father was being promoted the family moved around quite a bit living in towns like Camperdown and Ballarat. Peter matriculated in Ballarat.
All through the 80’s Peter taught at the BALTARA Special School. First as a teacher, later as the principal until he took early retirement in ’92 when he, Joc and their children made the Island their permanent home.
The two photos show Pete in one holding a woodworking class.
The other shows him abseiling, which he also taught.
The other shows him abseiling, which he also taught.
Joc said : " All his friends on the Island called him “ Pete “ . When we moved to the Island we made a “contract “: Pete would take early retirement and I would keep working full-time . He would become the house husband . We both stuck to our bargain. He was a wonderful cook. He used to take Nick to Kinder and Romany to school and soon devoted more time to local issues. I think it started with Landcare and then R.I. Protection. I still have the same job, with the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service in Bairnsdale “
The House that Pete built
The House that Pete built
Pete built most of the house himself. As Joc recalls: “It had always been his ambition to build his own house... He did not enjoy tiling, so he had a tiler helping him. I remember he built scaffolding so he could do his own plastering”
Pete's son Aaron was involved with the building of the house, particularly in its early stages. He was enormously helpful to Pete, dealing with the plumbing issues in particular. "
Pete's son Aaron was involved with the building of the house, particularly in its early stages. He was enormously helpful to Pete, dealing with the plumbing issues in particular. "
Joc continues: “We poured the slab in ’92, moved in in 1997 in time for Mothers Day and I had a big
“Occupancy Permit Party “in 2007.
“Occupancy Permit Party “in 2007.
Life on Raymond Island included ironing by generator ( still do, but inside the house now ! ) Establishing the vegie garden with Nick, on the beach with Romany and selling proteas with Romany and our greyhound Rathburn Ritzi Titzi. And Nick with his local mates Ben Clarke and Ben Hooton at the Ferry in 2001.
Peter and Joc started this plantation with their neighbours at the time, Ruth and Tony. Eventually it sold to Richard Lynch and Kay Gravell, who became their new neighbours. Richard still lives there.
Many of the plants are now over 20 years old . The plantation is well established and it's a pity that Pete is not here to see
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Not everyone leaves a " mark " on a place after they have gone. Pete did ! Pete was involved in many projects . Every day we are on our Island we probably walk past something that Peter was involved with.
Planting the old tip site
Do we recognise Kim and Ken Trenery, Don Webster? Who is the third one?
Then Pete was involved in a number of experimental reclaiming of land projects ,eroded over time by man and nature .
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As Joc recalls : “ Peter had a strong social side too ! Peter was an excellent host who loved good food, wine and fun. Here he is at various social events with local friends and me “
Pete loved his music and joined in at every opportunity. He was a foundation member of the Island choir "Unabridged " In the picture below he is shown with son Nick making a guest appearance on anvil in a special occasion orchestra brought together by Don Webster
Here are three photos.
L to R :
Terri Eskdale, Enid Webster, Nick Manuell, Denise Turner, --,--, Albie Thompson, Don Webster.
Terri Eskdale, Enid Webster, Nick Manuell, Denise Turner, --,--, Albie Thompson, Don Webster.
L to R :
Albie Thompson, Ken Coldwell ( conducting ) , Kira Hooton, Andrea ?, Debra Thompson ( ex A'Beckett ), Judy Tredinnick, Mark Brennan ( no beard) Don Gore, Don Webster and the audience,
Albie Thompson, Ken Coldwell ( conducting ) , Kira Hooton, Andrea ?, Debra Thompson ( ex A'Beckett ), Judy Tredinnick, Mark Brennan ( no beard) Don Gore, Don Webster and the audience,
L to R :
( against door ) Nick M., Pete M., Enid Webster, Ally Pritchard, Terri Eskdale, Sam Lync
( against door ) Nick M., Pete M., Enid Webster, Ally Pritchard, Terri Eskdale, Sam Lync
The Island went through a period of “issues “. One was the possibility of a bridge and the other was “THE FERRY TOLL “
As always Pete and others were in the thick of all of it.
As Joc explains : " RIAL and R.I. Protection developed a joint forum to tackle specific issues. They demonstrated
that they could work together. A good example was the protest against the ferry toll.
This " joint forum " laid the foundation of what would eventually become RICA.
As always Pete and others were in the thick of all of it.
As Joc explains : " RIAL and R.I. Protection developed a joint forum to tackle specific issues. They demonstrated
that they could work together. A good example was the protest against the ferry toll.
This " joint forum " laid the foundation of what would eventually become RICA.
Pete was one of the leaders of the Ferry Toll movement.
It was an event which united the Islanders and galvanised us into a prolonged campaign which we eventually won
( with special thanks to Ken Trennery )
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This issue received a lot of media coverage. Peter would have been responsible for much of it.
Another issue was the selling of the Shire Council's Lakes Entrance building and site. It was an issue that raised strong emotions at the time and Peter was deeply involved:
WE OBJECT
was Peter's battle cry
This is what ARREG thought of Pete
WE OBJECT
was Peter's battle cry
This is what ARREG thought of Pete
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Two of Pete’s great involvements were the building of the two Boardwalks.
With others he was one of the major forces behind these projects. The first one in ’97. As you can see from the photos it went across the swamp and at that stage no buildings were at the edge of the wetlands.
With others he was one of the major forces behind these projects. The first one in ’97. As you can see from the photos it went across the swamp and at that stage no buildings were at the edge of the wetlands.
The second Boardwalk is the one running parallel with Fourth. At that time Peter was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
As Joc said recently : “ Peter was site manager and was working on it right up to his operation . It was so important to him. In hindsight we should not have stopped him “
As Joc said recently : “ Peter was site manager and was working on it right up to his operation . It was so important to him. In hindsight we should not have stopped him “
To view more photos
In 2001 Pete was honoured by requesting the pleasure of his company by the then
Governor of Victoria Peter Landy and Mrs Lynne Landy.
It was to attend a reception honouring the
“International Year of Volunteers “
It was a recognition which Pete was proud of.
Someone on the Island had nominated him. He never found out who it was.
(Will anyone tell us who nominated Peter for this honour? )
Governor of Victoria Peter Landy and Mrs Lynne Landy.
It was to attend a reception honouring the
“International Year of Volunteers “
It was a recognition which Pete was proud of.
Someone on the Island had nominated him. He never found out who it was.
(Will anyone tell us who nominated Peter for this honour? )
Joc explained to us that she is contemplating leaving our Island in the not too distant future
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We are grateful that she provided us with information to acknowledge Pete’s contribution.
Joc continues: " I will ALWAYS have strong friends and family connections here on Raymond Island and district.
My brother Jeff Parkes recently married Islander Sandy Turvey. My stepson Aaron ( Waterworks Plumbing ) lives in Bairnsdale with his partner Andrea Hewett and their three children. ----------
-------- Pete's grandchildren are growing up in the area he loved ! .... How good is that ?"
2009
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We are grateful that she provided us with information to acknowledge Pete’s contribution.
Joc continues: " I will ALWAYS have strong friends and family connections here on Raymond Island and district.
My brother Jeff Parkes recently married Islander Sandy Turvey. My stepson Aaron ( Waterworks Plumbing ) lives in Bairnsdale with his partner Andrea Hewett and their three children. ----------
-------- Pete's grandchildren are growing up in the area he loved ! .... How good is that ?"
2009
