PETER WILSON

Peter Wilson was amongst the first ‘ten pound Pom’s’ we had working on our family farm near Culcairn, NSW. He came to us through the Big Brother Movement and what a wonderful big brother he was, and will forever hold a special place in my heart. I was only a little tacker when he arrived but can remember him helping me to dress my dolls while he was relaxing waiting for meals to be served. He also put up with my endless chatter. Peter fitted in really well with our family, and was very much like my father Percy Shoemark, tall, softly spoken, honest, hardworking, a quiet achiever, a great judge of character who had a passion for farming and caring for animals. I can remember one year after shearing the weather turned bad with torrential rain and cold wind. Sheep were dropping all over the place and I can remember Peter and Dad bringing them in on horseback to the old house at Hillcrest where all the fireplaces were burning. They had hay and grain spread around and were kept there until the weather cleared. I can also remember when he bought his first car shortly before he went on his adventure shearing and working his way around Australia. I have a lovely photo of him beside his car at the front of our house that may have been taken before he left. Peter was always regarded as a member of our family. We have many photos in the family album of Peter, Pam and family. Mum always had a picture of Peter on display with the rest of the family. When Pam came along it was a picture of them both, likewise when the children Kate and Rhys arrived their photos took pride of place as well. We visited Peter and Pam in July and August this year. Our first trip to WA. While I am glad we made it when we did, I regret not doing the trip sooner. I would have loved to see him in his happy place where he worked and raised his family. Rest easy my big brother. It was a privilege to have you in our lives and family. Condolences and big hugs to Pam, Kate, Rhys and families.

I've known Pam and Peter since just after I started going out with my now wife Kathy, who knew Pam from working with her at Shapland's market garden. That must have been about 1987. Before my first visit to the Redmond Farm I was told Peter was a man of few words. After starting to ask Peter questions about birds, farm animals, soil, crops and agri-business each time we met, I realised he was a wealth of knowledge and happy to talk at length on these subjects with no nonsense! He regaled me with stories of being on horse-back in the 50's on large properties with little in the way of supplies, shearing at remote sites and getting bogged in old Holdens and walking miles into camp in thongs! He was also an old-school financial type bloke who believed in working hard, saving hard and investing wisely, which has rubbed off on to Pam and Peter's two great kids Kate and Rhys, who in turn are raising great kids of their own. We'll miss our once or twice yearly catch-ups and talks with Peter. Pam and her family are now the keepers of those stories and history!

Our condolences to Pam & family on the sad loss of Peter. Our thoughts are with you …xx Julie & Les

My condolences to everyone, and especially Pam. I'm Aaron Wilson, Pete's nephew. We only met once, when I was aged about 5, in the time after Pete's dad Jim, my grandad, had passed away, so I can't say too much from personal experience. But I can echo what my mother has tried to transcribe from my Dad Cecil beneath. I was brought up on stories of him and Pete climbing into barrels and throwing themselves down hills as kids - an odd couple who were as thick as thieves. It's what brothers should be. My distant Australian Uncle Pete became a figure of imagination for my own young boys, Conrad and Vincent. Like I say, I can't really write about the man, but I can write about the idea - a young country boy who set out across the world and didn't sit in the first port he landed in whinging, but forged a new life in a new land and created a family. He succeeded where many men have failed. My respect to him, and you all - I'm sure you're living up to his standards. I hope you're all keeping well, I'm sure it isn't easy. Warm regards, Aaron, Inga, Conrad, Vince and Serena Wilson

Rest in peace dear big brother Pete. You were born in November 1938 and I followed in November 1939. Just a year between us, we stayed similar heights throughout our childhoods..until you suddenly shot past me in our teens. You were super quiet as a child. Meanwhile I was known as ' Mr Who what where and how', talking non stop apparently. What a pair we were but we roamed the woods around our home together and got into tricky situations together. In the post war years our woods were full of unspent ammunition left by the military who had used the area during the war. We thought nothing of prizing apart unspent rifle bullets, often with my useful front teeth ,making a pile of the gunpowder they contained then setting it alight! We made tunnelled and dens in deep sand, leapt from trees at height, but managed not to blow ourselves up, suffocate ourselves or break any bones. At our tiny village school I observed how, despite your determined reticence and quietness,fellow pupils, and even teachers , knew better than to try and dominate or bully you! I have amusing memories of how you might let someone carry on being obnoxious trying to bully you, or indeed anyone trying to bully me, without saying a word for some time. You would then suddenly stand up and knock the bully over with such strength and efficiency that they never tried to bully you or me again, even trying desperately to befriend us instead. You cried bitter tears when our older brother died from Polio aged just twelve. You went back to being a reserved stoical teenager afterwards,following,I would say, the model of our parents' example of dealing with tragedy and life's challenges. You appeared to have inherited many of our father's characteristics: steadfast and true,dedicated to the land and nature. You appeared to have inborn interest and knowledge of machines while also having such natural understanding of how to inspire trust in animals. Although still so reticent you showed your soft side again when nurturing first a young kestrel, then a baby rook that you called Joey and which needed constant care to survive. I remember you staying out overnight to keep him company and to feed him constantly. Joey became imprinted on you and would follow you everywhere, including into our bedroom whenever he could. More amusing memories flood back of you riding around the country lanes of Bedfordshire on your push bike and then your motor bike, with Joey flying along at head height either beside you or just behind you. A scary sight for strangers on those very dark quiet lanes I would suspect! Although you enjoyed 'roustabouts' in town during the fifties rock and roll era, you remained focused on learning as much as you could about the care of land and animals. The only book I remember you reading was about how to take care of hens in deep litter! You had geese in the orchard which used to chase Mum when she tried to hang the washing out. All your charges thrived in your diligent care. You started work in the woods and the sawmill. Suddenly we started to realise you had heard about the 'Ten Pound Pom' route to emigration to Australia. Not only that but you had decided to apply to go yourself. Mum and Dad accepted this and were proud of you,even though they must have been worried sick after losing their first born son John. Off you went on what was to be your life long adventure,still only seventeen years old! From then on the family heard about Pete' s exploits and development not however through any long letters from Pete, who remained as reticent and self effacing as ever. Instead we heard from Pete's landlady Mrs Schumacher who wrote long letters and with whom Mum corresponded for years. In due course, Pete, the role of communicator and translator was taken up so well by your wonderful and so capable wife Pam. What a team you two have been! Our family have got to stay connected through your efforts Pam and the letters and photos you so religiously sent. The joy and pride Mum and Dad had when your children Kate and Rhys came along and since then their spouses and children too, has been made possible through your offices Pam. Pam's role has been fantastic and we are so grateful to her for being such a staunch and supportive wife to Pete. Pete,Pam,Kate,Rhys and their families have all become a big part of the Wilson family history and anecdotes. You have been a great Australian success story and we send our deepest condolences to all of you. God bless Pete and farewell. You will always be remembered. Love from your proud brother Cecil, wife Alison, nephew Aaron and his wife Inga and children Conrad, Vincent and Serena.

To Pam, Kate, Reece and families. Peter was a down to earth bloke and we always enjoyed our chats with him at the gym. Our condolences. John and Caroline Coates.

Condolences to Pam,Kate, Rhys and families in the passing of Peter.

Condolences with the passing away of your dear husband Pam. Pieter and Annette Mostert and family

Took me under his wing, taught me to shear and encouraged me to do better. Rest easy now, thoughts with the Pam, Rhys, Kate and families. Great memories and well respected mate. Rob,Jan, Carol,Marion,John and families.

Our sincere condolences to Pam,Kate & Rhys & their families in the passing of Peter, a hard working man who loved the land until his health declined & had to moved into the City, will be sadly missed by us all.kind regards Terry & Elaine Dunlop & Famlies.