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Obituaries
Peter John Bates (OW1953)
16/11/1935 - 7/04/2022
Generosity takes an open heart and a love that asks for nothing in return – Anonymous.
Peter Bates possessed the giving trait in abundance; he was dedicated to ensuring his generosity touched the lives of many. He lived his life not only for those he loved, but also for those he had never met. Peter loved to share stories of escapades from various times in his life. He loved to share details of the amazing people, places and things he saw or did.
Peter attended Wesley College (OW1953) commencing when he was in Junior School and leaving when he gained his carpentry apprenticeship. He shared stories of how he was told to move his mouth but not make a sound during school singing or how he would venture to the woodwork room when in fact he should have been at school singing. He was a keen rower and enjoyed any outdoor activity that was on offer at Wesley. Attending Wesley College became a generational trend for the Bates family. His brother Anthony (dec) (OW1955), his sons Russell (OW1981) and Wayne (OW1985) and grandchildren Robert (OW2006), Jenni (OW2008), Kiera (OW2016) and Casey (OW2019) all attended Wesley College. Peter’s daughter-in-law, Janine, is a current staff member.
After leaving Wesley, Peter’s strong work ethic ensured his talents as a builder live on in many projects that we still know today, including the State Theatre, the Rivoli in Camberwell and the Geelong Theatre, along with national banks and a ski lodge at Mount Buller. Peter met his wife of 61 years, June, and they were married in the Wesley College Chapel on 17 December 1960.
Photo: Bates family photo as published in the Wesley College Strategic Plan Framework 2017-2030
Peter was an accomplished yachtsman and shared his love of sailing with his family and the broader sailing community. He started sailing in an XY Catamaran and joined Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron in 1961. Peter built and maintained the yachts both he and his sons sailed. As a family, they attended sailing championships throughout Victoria and interstate. At Blairgowrie, Peter’s skills were often called upon to help rescue both people and stray boats. Recognised for his ability and work ethic, he became Club Captain from 1972-1974 and was bestowed with honorary life membership. For Peter, it was when he combined his love for the water and for his family that he was the happiest. He taught all four of his grandchildren how to sail, passing on his love for the water, each having their own memories and stories of their Pa and the water.
Peter was a tireless volunteer across a range of organisations. He was always happy to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. As a National Service member, he delivered ANZAC Day badges and poppies to local schools including Wesley College Glen Waverley for the Waverley RSL. The Junior School often invited Peter to be a special guest at annual Remembrance Day Services. Peter maintained his connection to Wesley by supporting his grandchildren on the sidelines of sporting matches, on the banks of Nagambie for many a Head of the River or the stands of MSAC for countless APS Swimming and Diving Finals. He also sat proudly in the audience at music and drama performances and was constantly amazed at the talent of students at Wesley.
Peter’s pride for Wesley and his family was on show when the school used the Bates family photo (pictured) to highlight generational connection in the Strategic Plan Framework 2017-2030 publication and, for a time, on a billboard at the front of the Glen Waverley Campus.
Contributed by The Bates Family